Don’t just sleep on it fast track it…
We know that getting settled in a new country can be a hassle. Let
1st Contact take care of the admin so that you can focus on the fun stuff.
With 1st Contact’s Kickstart package you receive:

COVER PRICE: £1 where sold
SEE tntmagazine.com/findtnt for pick-up points or
tntmagazine.com/emag
to read TNT online
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
Caroline Penn 01603 559004
All thieves of TNT bins will be prosecuted.

TNT Magazine is printed
on paper from sustainable
forests. There is no
business connection between the proprietors of
this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide
transportation group. Copyright here and abroad
of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine.
Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden,
except with permission of the publishers.
Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

Countdown to the UK
So you’ve made one of the most
important decisions of your life
– you’re going to leave your home
comforts behind and head to
foreign lands. Well, the good news
is there are thousands of travellers
doing the same thing, so get ready
for the adventure of a lifetime.
To help you on your way, we’ve
put together a guide of everything
you will need to make your
transition as smooth as possible.
We’ve also included an
essential checklist of what you
need to do before you leave your
home country – from visas and
banks to healthcare and packing.
There’s also a helpful must-do
list of what you’ll need to achieve
once you land in Dear Old Blighty
– from finding accommodation
and travelling in the capital, to the
top attractions and pubs.
2012 is going to be a huge year

for London, so to help make you a
part of it, we’ve compiled a guide
to the Olympic venues; what’s
going on where and what’s open
to the public.
Turn to P87, which is where
our travel section begins. Here,
you’ll find guides to the must-visit
destinations in the UK, Ireland and
Europe, as well as some further
afield. There’s also a list of the
best world festivals – get these in
your diary now, otherwise you’ll
miss out on witnessing some of the
greatest spectaculars on Earth.
Make sure you ‘like’ TNT
Magazine on Facebook and follow
@tntmagazine on Twitter, to
meet like-minded people in the
UK before you arrive. And don’t
forget to pick up the mag every
Monday. We’re here for you every
step of the way. Happy travels!
Carol Driver Editor
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

3

CONTENTS

Welcome to London P19

TAKING OFF
COUNTDOWN TO THE UK

7

TOUCHING DOWN
LIVING IN LONDON

19

BANKING, TAX AND NI

28

GETTING AROUND

34

KEEPING IN TOUCH

36

HEALTHCARE IN THE UK

38

THE OLYMPICS

41

BEING A TOURIST

49

ENTERTAINMENT

54

SPORT IN THE UK

60
Olympics P41

4

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

CONTENTS

GETTING WORK
GETTING WORK IN LONDON 62
TEMPING IN THE UK

66

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE 68
TEACHING

70

MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE 72
NANNYING AND CARING

74

SECRETARIAL AND PA

78

CATERING & HOSPITALITY

80

TRAINING & COURSES

84

Road trips in Europe P87

TRAVEL
TRAVELLING IN EUROPE

87

ROME

92

BARCELONA

94

BERLIN

96

SAILING IN CROATIA

98

PARIS

100

TRAVELLING IN THE UK

102

EDINBURGH

105

BATH AND STONEHENGE

108

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE 110
IRELAND

112

WORLD FESTIVALS

116

BIG TRIPS

124
La Tomatina P116
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

5

Tax & NI Refunds

Are you owed a Tax
or NI rebate?
Call 0800 071 6766
or download a tax pack now
at www.taxback.co.uk

We are the UK’s most
successful tax rebate
company with over
20 years experience

like us on

TAKINGOFF

facebook/tntmagazine

An
adventure
awaits
With everything from visas to where to bank
your money to consider, it pays to be prepared
WORDS REBECCA KENT

Packing up your life for the bright
lights and country plains of the UK
and Ireland? If only it was as simple
as leaping on a plane and waving

goodbye. You’ll need to be a little
more organised for a seamless
transition abroad. Here, we give you
a headstart.
››

››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

7

TAKINGOFF

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Research ... and you won’t come unstuck

PASSPORT & VISA
GET A PASSPORT
If you have a passport already, make sure it will be
valid for at least six months after your intended
departure date from the UK, otherwise you might get
turned away at immigration.
APPLY FOR A VISA
If you’ve managed to save a small fortune to travel on,
congratulations. The rest of you, though, will probably
need to find work to fund your new life here. If that’s
the case, or if you plan to stay here for more than six
months, you will need a visa. Get one at the British
High Commission in your home country. Australians
and New Zealanders can apply online, but you will
still have to visit one of the commission’s biometric
enrolment centres. It can take up to two months to
process your application, and note that the British High
Commission in Australia will only accept applications
to within three months of your departure date. Make
sure you keep abreast of visa rules as they are everchanging. See ukvisas.gov.uk. For Ireland, see dfa.ie
and entemp.ie. There is also info at tntmagazine.com.
8

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

YOUTH MOBILITY VISA
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is also known as a Tier
5 visa and allows 18 to 30-year-olds from Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Monaco to live and
work in the UK for up to two years. You need to accrue
50 points under the UK Home Office’s Points Based
System to get a Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5) visa:
• You get 30 points automatically if you come from
one of the countries listed above, otherwise you need
a certificate of sponsorship from your home country.
• You get 10 points if aged between 18 and 30.
• You get 10 points for having £1600 in the bank.
CONDITIONS OF YMV
• You can stay and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
• You can not set up a business, play professional sport,
or work as a doctor in training in that time.
• You have to leave the UK once your visa expires. If
you feel your time here hasn’t been long enough, then
you can apply for a Tier 1 visa (highly skilled), or Tier
2 visa (work permit). But you’ll have to return home
before doing so.
››

Help and guidance from Removal Specialists
Excess Baggage and over-sized items
Local and International Removals

“Company operating worldwide since 1992”

Import and Export Freight Services
Short and Long Term Storage
Specialist Packing Services
Experienced Antique Movers
Shipping by Road, Sea and Air

Customised, secure and personalised service
Door to door for most locations
Collection, Delivery & Courier Services

Hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00h to 19:00h
Saturday from 09:00h to 13:00h

Pick and Pack Fulﬁllment

Ofﬁces in UK, Spain and Portugal:
E-mail: info@packandgo.co.uk

20 years
of international
operations in 2012
Best price
guarantee!

PACK AND GO ARE RENOWNED
FOR THEIR SERVICES CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL PRICE OFFERS
+44 (0)1895 420303

+44 (0)1895 420303

www.packandgo.co.uk

TAKINGOFF

follow us on

@tntmagazine

It’s time: bags packed, you’re ready to go

TIER 1 VISA
Restrictions were put on this route in April 2011,
making it only available to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur),
Tier 1 (Investor), plus those with ‘exceptional talent’
(ie sports stars and scientists). Only 1000 of these visas
are available.
TIER 2 VISA
The Tier 2 (General) Visa is for workers with a job
offer who are coming to the UK to fill a skills gap in a

Plastic cash: bring a credit card from home to be safe
10

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

graduate level position. It is also granted to employees
of global companies who are being transferred to the
UK. Applicants must be sponsored by a UK employer
that has been registered with the UK Border Agency
(UKBA). The employer must also issue you with a
Certificate of Sponsorship to wave at the authorities
should they question your stay here.
You need to score 70 points to get your paws on
this visa – 50 are awarded for ‘attributes’, which is
what you need to get sponsored, such as a £150,000
or more salary. You get 10 points for English language
skills, and 10 mandatory points for having at least £800
in your bank account.
What you need to consider
• Sponsoring employers need a licence from the UKBA.
• All jobs not on the shortage occupation list must be
advertised so UK and EU workers have an opportunity
to apply first.
• The job must be of a degree level or above.
• Visa officials have beefed up scrutiny on all
sponsorship applications to ensure that both the
worker and the job are legitimate.
• If your position is on a list of shortage occupations
published by the Migration Advisory Committee, you
will automatically score 50 points and your employer

like us on

TAKINGOFF

facebook/tntmagazine

Live and work
in Ireland

Legwork: form filling is such a joy
will not need to carry out the
resident labour market test.
TIER 4 STUDENT VISA
The Tier 4 (General) visa is for
students who want to undertake
their post-16 education in the UK.
Students must be sponsored by
their university or college. You
must accrue 40 points – 30 for
a confirmation letter from an
approved education provider, and
10 points for having money in your
bank account.
This visa grants the student the
right to enter the UK to complete
a course at an approved institution,
and to remain in the UK for
the duration of the course and
graduation. The student can also
work part-time during term-time
and full-time during vacations.

Anyone with this visa can switch to
a Tier 1 visa and a Tier 2 visa from
within the UK.
ANCESTRY VISA
If you have British-born
grandparents and you hail from
a Commonwealth country, you are
entitled to an Ancestry Visa. This
route allows you live and work in
the UK without restrictions, as
long as you can prove you intend
to work. You must be aged 17 or
over to apply for the visa, and,
if your grandparent was born in
Ireland, they will have had to be
born before March 31, 1922. After
five years in the UK, you may be
eligible to apply for Indefinite
Leave To Remain and then later UK
Citizenship. Or you can just renew
your Ancestry Visa.

We don’t blame you if you’d like
to experience the legendary craic
of the Emerald Isle yourself.
The Republic of Ireland has a similar
working holiday system to the UK
– although for just 12 months and
with a few extra restrictions. Aussies,
Kiwis, plus those from Argentina,
Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and the
Republic of Korea, aged 18 to 30, are
eligible for the Republic of Ireland’s
Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA)
programme. However, the conditions
are that participants can only work for
three months with any one employer,
you need to have enough dosh in your
bank account to support yourself for
the initial part of your stay, and once
you’ve been granted the visa, you must
land in Ireland within 12 months.
If you are not eligible for a WHA, such
as South African citizens, you’ll need
an Irish work permit.
See foreignaffairs.gov.ie.
PARTNERSHIP VISA
If you are married to a British
citizen or have a long-term partner
with a British passport or right of
abode, you may be eligible for
a UK visa. Your partner must have
“settled status”, which discounts
those on Tier 1 (highly skilled) and
Tier 2 (work permit) visas. The
procedure for gaining your visa will
vary on whether, and for how long,
you have been married or have
held a civil partnership. ❚
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

11

TAKINGOFF

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Don’t look back: you’ll have a blast

Countdown begins
You’re going to have at least two years of fun and adventure in the UK, but,
before you go there’s work to get out the way. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty
Once you’ve got your visa sorted, it’s time to start
making the practical arrangements for a life abroad.
You’re bound to get quite anxious about it, but get
this phase of your travels knocked into shape, and not
only will your arrival in the UK be smooth, you can
start having fun much sooner.

TWO MONTHS TO GO
FIND SOMEWHERE TO STAY
If you’re the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type, by
all means hop off the plane in London and call into
a hostel, or on an old mate’s doorstep and see how
you fare. But it’s probably sensible to plan further in
12

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

advance. Book your flights, then find somewhere to
rest your head, at least for your first week in the UK
as hostels tend to get booked up well in advance,
especially during summer. If you’re not averse to
‘dossing’, that is bunking down in a mate’s place
temporarily, get in quick. You don’t want to turn
up and find the newly arrived pal of your friend’s
housemate has snagged the couch.
CHECK YOUR WORK STATUS
The majority of new arrivals in the UK won’t need to
jump through any more hoops to be able to get a job.
However, workers in a select few industries (medical
professionals, for example) will have to register with

like us on

TAKINGOFF

facebook/tntmagazine

regulatory bodies
in the UK. Start
looking into this
now and make
applications before
you arrive, as
registration in some
areas can take up
to four months to
process. Turn to our
careers section on
P62 for essential
advice.

contact your tax
office and let
them know your
plans. You might
need to file an
early tax return
if you’re leaving
midway through
a financial year.
As mundane
as it can be to
arrange your
financial affairs,
it needs to be
done – so get
it sorted, don’t
be lazy about
it! Your precise tax status will
depend on various criteria – how
long you intend to be away
from home; whether you’ll be
setting up a permanent residence
elsewhere; whether you’ll be
earning any income at home
while you’re abroad; and whether
you’ll maintain a home of some
description in your home country
(the Australian Taxation Office
››
calls this the “domicile test”).

WHAT ABOUT SCOTLAND?
Hannah Membrey, 22, from
Bunbury, Western Australia,
has lived in Edinburgh
since 2009.
Best part: Not many people can
boast having a castle at the end
of their street!
Favourite experience:
Paricipating in traditional
Scottish dances called ceilidhs;
if you don’t walk away with an
arm covered in bruises, you
haven’t had a good night.
Advice? Wrap up warm! It gets
cold and very windy in
Scotland, even in summer.

SET UP A BANK
ACCOUNT
It’s possible to open
an account once you’re in the UK,
but it can be a long and tedious
process, requiring documentation
that’s not always easy to source.
For this reason, it’s also worth
looking into this from home
before you arrive. There’s more
information on this on P28 and
see tntmagazine.com.
TIDY YOUR TAX
Before leaving the country,

Ouch!: there’s no need for a jab spree

YOUR STORIES
SHAUN
QUINCEY
CAREER Sports
sponsorship
AGE 27
LIVES Clapham
Common
FROM Auckland,
New Zealand
Hardest part of moving to the UK?
It’s expensive, and absorbing the costs
using your NZ dollars can be painful.
Also, moving about London takes
time. Not having the freedom to jump
in the car and drive anywhere took
some getting used to.
Greatest misconception?
I had no idea how amazing some
of the landscape in the UK was.
Highlights for me have been Mount
Snowdon, Wales and the south coast
of England.
Adivce for newcomers?
Make sure you give it a good try. The
UK is a challenge at first, but you’ll
quickly learn it’s a fantastic place.

Fly away: you are bound to see plenty of airports
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

13

TAKINGOFF

Just pack the essentials
14

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

follow us on

@tntmagazine

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

Australians should see ato.gov.au
for information; New Zealanders
should visit ird.govt.nz; and South
Africans sars.gov.za.

TAKINGOFF
TNT’S MOVING
ABROAD CHECKLIST
Refer to this as a handy guide once you’ve made the decision

SIX WEEKS TO GO
GET VACCINATED
Although you don’t need to go
on a jab spree before travelling to
the UK, there’s no harm in keeping
your hepatitis A and B, tetanus and
polio immunisations up-to-date.
Meanwhile, the World Health
Organisation recommends
travellers should be covered for
diphtheria, measles, mumps and
rubella. In a crowded city such as
London, the flu tends to spread
pretty quickly, too, so it might
also be worth looking into a jab
for this. If you have plans to travel
on to exotic climes at a later date,
you’ll be able to get the relevant
injections in the UK. However,
if you’re heading to the UK via
other countries, you’ll need to get
jabbed at home. Allow six weeks
as you’ll need to do a course of
shots in some instances.

ONE MONTH TO GO
SOURCE MEDICAL RECORDS
Pack copies of any medical records
or important prescription details
when you travel, especially if you
have an ongoing condition.

CHECK YOU ........................................... Have a valid passport
APPLY FOR ............................................. A visa
BOOK YOUR ........................................... Flight
TWO MONTHS TO GO
FIND SOMEWHERE .............................. To stay
CHECK YOUR ......................................... Work status
SET UP ................................................... A UK bank account
TIDY UP ................................................. Your tax affairs
SIX WEEKS TO GO................................ Get vaccinated
ONE MONTH TO GO
SOURCE YOUR ....................................... Medical records
PUT TOGETHER ................................... A CV and references
APPOINT ............................................... A power of attorney
MAKE .................................................... A will
TWO WEEKS TO GO
ARRANGE YOUR .................................. Travel insurance
START TYING........................................ Up loose ends
RETAIN YOUR ....................................... Right to vote
ONE WEEK TO GO
CLEAR UP .............................................. Your stuff
REDIRECT YOUR ................................... Mail
THREE DAYS TO GO ............................. Start packing!
ONE DAY TO GO ................................... Say your goodbyes

WRITE A CV
Make sure you list your up-to-date
career experience. And bring two
glowing references with you from
previous employers. It also doesn’t
hurt if one of them is a character
reference as well. These will help
when looking for somewhere to
live, opening a bank account, and
of course, applying for a job.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Before leaving home, appoint
someone who is authorised to act ››

››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

15

TAKINGOFF
YOUR STORIES
ELIZABETH
LATHAM
CAREER Business
development
administration
in a law firm
AGE 23
LIVES Putney,
London
FROM Perth,
Australia
What made you come to the UK?
I was bored at home and wanted to
live overseas and travel. The UK was
a good option as it’s easy to get a visa
and Europe is on your doorstep.
What was the hardest thing
about the move?
Finding a sharehouse was soul
destroying. It’s really competitive,
the market moves quickly and the
good places are pricey. After too many
wasted weekends trekking across
London to look at rooms, I found
a great house through a friend.

follow us on

on your behalf, should something
happen that disables you from
doing so. The legal term for this is
“power of attorney”. This person
can be anyone who you trust to act
in your best interests. It’s usually
quite an easy process, but it varies
from country to country.
MAKE A WILL
OK, a bit on the morbid side,
but be realistic, you’re going
out into the big, wide world and
the dangers to your wellbeing
will multiply. Do-it-yourself kits
are available in Australia and
New Zealand, and are suitable
for most people without a
large or complicated amount of
possessions. These kits lead you
through the process smoothly and
should help you save on those
expensive legal fees. However, if
you’re unsure, contact a lawyer
– the cost might not be so bad.

What’s your favourite thing about
living in the UK?
I love feeling like a tourist. There is
so much to see and do in London,
you could never be bored. I also love
the parks in autumn and the food
markets (Whitecross Street, Broadway
and Borough are top of my list).
What was your greatest
misconception about London?
That London is a huge city and
you are anonymous. Actually I am
constantly meeting people with
mutual friends and I do bump into
people I know on the street – it truly
is a small world.

The sky’s the limit: a new life awaits

What have you been pleasantly
surprised by?
I found it easy to get a job, which took
a lot of pressure off after I returned
from my travels completely skint.
What advice would you give
someone arriving here in 2012?
Travel before you settle down. A lot of
people do this and you end up having
a network of friends in London who
you meet travelling Europe. It’s really
hard to save while in London, so do
this before or after your trip. And the
Heathrow Injection does exist! Get
involved in some kind of group sport
so you stay motivated over winter.

16

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

[Caption]
Money
honey: earn some pounds

@tntmagazine

TWO WEEKS TO GO
GET TRAVEL INSURANCE
Don’t put this off – get it sorted
before you leave home. That way,
anything you lose from the moment
you board the plane can potentially
be replaced. Shop around for a
comprehensive policy that covers
everything from wallet theft to
travel cancellations. There are many
comparison websites that can help
you find a competitive price.
Once you start work in the UK
or Ireland, you’ll be covered by their
public healthcare system. However,
you’ll still need health cover if you
plan to travel from there.
TIE UP LOOSE ENDS
It could be an expensive journey
if you’re still paying bills and
account charges after you’ve
left. Cancel the electricity, gas
and phone, stop any club or gym

like us on

TAKINGOFF

facebook/tntmagazine

memberships, take back your
library books and DVD rentals,
decide who will look after the cat
and the dog ... generally, take care
of all the loose ends in your life.
RETAIN VOTING RIGHTS
Australian citizens who have
been abroad for less than three
years are eligible to vote at the
Australian High Commission in
London, or by post. Although
there won’t be another federal
election until 2013. See aec.gov.
au. It’s a similar story for Kiwis,
who are eligible to vote in any
general election so long as they
are enrolled and have been in
the country during the past three
years. See elections.org. South
Africans can also vote abroad.
However, they will need to
present their ID book when they
get to the polling station.
See atelections.org.za.

ONE WEEK TO GO
SORT OUT YOUR STUFF
This is about the time to decide
what you’re going to take with you
and what you’re going to leave
behind. Hoarders, or owners of
chunky belongings may need to
book a storage unit, or find friends
with space to spare. Remember,
you can’t take it with you, so ask
yourself if you’re going to need it,
or if you could leave it at home.
If the answer is the former, this is
a great time to get rid of stuff.
REDIRCT MAIL
If there will be someone living or
visiting your home while you’re
gone, ask them to check your
mail. It could be a missed bill,
which means you’ll be in trouble.
Australia Post and New Zealand
Post can redirect your mail, but
you’ll need to pay them and give

at least three days’ notice. See
auspost.com.au and nzpost.co.nz.

THREE DAYS TO GO
START PACKING
Travel as light as possible, bearing
in mind the weather on the other
side; you’ll need a warm coat
for winter. Check your luggage
allowance with your airline before
making tracks to the airport.
Forgotten something? Don’t fret
too much. You are more than likely
going to be able to replace it in the
UK. Just don’t forget your passport!

ONE DAY TO GO
SAY YOUR GOODBYES!
Hopefully your friends and family
have given you a pretty decent
send-off. So get ready to touch
down in the UK, and for a new
adventurous chapter in your life.
Good luck! ❚

Waiting for you: London’s iconic black cabs
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

17

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN

Home sweet
home
Looking to rent in London? From how to find a
place and what the best areas are, to houseshares,
one-bed flats, tenant rights and dealing with your
landlord – we’ve got it all covered WORDS CLARE VOOGHT
Welcome to the UK, fresh off
the plane with just a couple of
suitcases. Now it’s time to start
looking for a place. With a little
bit of searching, you’ll find what
you’re looking for among central
London’s many close-built flats,

or a little further out in a bigger
house with a bit more space.
Don’t panic when you’re
looking. It can be a bit scary,
thanks to the highly competitive
nature of the housing market
– good places can go within
››

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

19

TOUCHINGDOWN
hours – but someone’s got to get
them. With a bit of searching,
you’ll find a new home away from
home soon enough.
Hostel it
For most travellers arriving in
London for the first time, a hostel
will be the first port of call while
they search for somewhere to live
permanently.
It’s a great way to meet likeminded people (who may end up
being your roommates) and also
gives you a bit more time to get
acquainted with the city.
London has seven YHA (yha.
org.uk) hostels across London
– two in the West End, and others
in King’s Cross, Holland Park,
Earl’s Court, the City and Canada
Water. Another popular one with
travellers is The Generator Hostel
in King’s Cross.
It’ll cost around £15 per night
for a shared dorm, but you can
pay a little bit extra for a room
with fewer people. Always make
sure you ask for weekly rates
if you’re staying for more than
a couple of nights.

with a small kitchen-bedroomliving room in one and a shared
bathroom. These start from
around £85 per week in London. If
you can’t face sharing a bathroom
with strangers, opt for a slightly
pricier (at least £100 per week)
studio apartment, which will have
a bathroom tacked on.
TNT Magazine and
tntmagazine.com/accommodation
are among the best places to
look for somewhere to live.
Also check out our handy online
neighbourhood guides for ideas
on where to settle.
House or flat share
Houseshares are a great way of
keeping costs down when you’re
renting a place, and they’re a fun
place to embark on your new life
in a new city. You’ll find loads
around London on websites like
gumtree.com or spareroom.co.uk,

follow us on

and TNT’s website is also a great
place to start.
Speed Flatmating is also a good
way to meet new, like-minded
people to move in with. With the
same ethos as speed dating, events
are organised by spareroom.co.uk.
If you’ve met some people
travelling or you’ve arrived with
mates from home and want to
get a place together, hit up estate
agents and rental websites like
primelocation.com and rightmove.
co.uk to find a flat or house.
Due to high demand, rents
have gone up a lot in the last year
in London so expect to pay from
£100 per week for a double room.
Roomshare
But if you’re game for socks on the
door handle and squabbles over
space for a while, get a roomshare
to save on dosh. You can get these
for about £50 a week, though it ››

Dossing
Another good place to start when
you arrive in a new country is
where you know people, and
chances are you know at least
a couple of mates in London
whose sofa you can crash on for
a few days while you find a place.
But remember to clean up after
yourself and contribute £5-£10
a week towards bills.
Home time
When you’ve got your head
around the city layout and you’re
ready to regain your privacy after
dossing down in a hostel for a
couple of weeks, make the leap
and find your own pad.
If you’re up for living on your
own, a good, cheap option is a
bedsit – a self-contained room
20

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

@tntmagazine

Sharing a room with four other people was pretty cosy at times

TOUCHINGDOWN
might not be wise if you’re looking
for a long-term option.
Bills
Sometimes rent includes bills such
as water and council tax or you
could be lucky enough to score
rent that includes electricity and
gas too. It’s best to find out when
you’re looking as bills take a big
chunk of your monthly budget.
Expect to pay about £60 for gas,
electricity, internet and council tax.
Council tax varies depending
on which borough and property
you live in and could cost
anything from £17-£100 a
month. The cheapest boroughs
are Wandsworth, Westminster,
Newham, City of London and
Southwark, which all charge an
average of under £1,000 per year.
Bills are when houseshares come
in especially handy, as splitting
them takes a lot of the strain off.
Where to live
When they move to London,
antipodeans and South Africans
usually settle in west London
(in places such as Hammersmith,
Fulham, Acton, Shepherd’s Bush),
south London (Southfields,
Clapham, Putney, Earlsfield) and
north-west (Kilburn, Willesden,
Dollis Hill and West Hampstead).
But they’re also bridging the gap
and moving further to the north
and east, with more and more
people heading to bohemian
Camden and Angel or trendy east
end spots like Shoreditch, Bethnal
Green and Hackney.
Aussie, Kiwi and SA hotspots
SHEPHERD’S BUSH
Aussies and Kiwis are drawn to
the affectionately nicknamed
She Bu for the sharehouses and
Walkabout bar. The main drag,
Uxbridge Road, is full of houses
and the huge Westfield London
Shopping Centre is right round the
corner. It’s also well connected to
22

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

central London.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
about £250 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £130
per week.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
WEST KENSINGTON
Along with Earls Court, this is the
original antipodean heartland.
Prices have risen in the last few
years, but you’ll still find a flat
(usually in a nice converted
Victorian terraced house) that
won’t be too expensive. You’ll
have to travel a bit for some
nightlife, but it is one of the safest
areas in London.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £200 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £150.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
ACTON
Head this way for large
houseshares and the popular
Aussie bar, The Redback Tavern.
Terraced houses are common
around the high street and in
south Acton you’ll find plenty
of cheaper apartments.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £200 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £95.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
FULHAM
Pricey but nice – it’s got lots of
cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants
and a real village atmosphere.
There are a variety of housing
options from flats above shops
along Fulham Palace Road, Dawes
Road and Fulham Road, to twostorey terraced houses in the
roads off those.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £240 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £160.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
KILBURN
Popular with working travellers,
Kilburn has great transport links

follow us on

@tntmagazine

LEARN
THE LINGO
Brush up on
your UK slang
before you
arrive
ANTIPODEAN
An Australian or
Kiwi; originating from
the Antipodes, or the other side
of the globe.
SAFFA A South African person,
just with fewer syllables.
HIGH STREET OR ROAD
A suburb’s main street where you’ll
typically find a supermarket or
convenience store, clothing chains,
a post office, and an off-licence
selling booze.
COMMON A large park. London
has a lot, some with running tracks,
bandstands and lidos. Pale throngs
pack in on sunny days.
LIDO A public swimming pool.
Y’ALRIGHT/ALRIGHT? An informal
British greeting and not necessarily
a question. Reply with the same.
SNAKEBITE A pint of lager and
cider in equal parts with a splash
of blackcurrant cordial. Tipple of
choice for Antipodeans and Saffas
in London looking to get drunk fast.
LASHED Drunk.
CASHPOINT Otherwise known as
an ATM or “hole in the wall”.

Getting lashed on Snakebite

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN

Find yourself with an expat group or carve your own niche somewhere else – it’s your choice
and some vibrant, multicultural
restaurants and cafes. Head to
the north end for drinking holes
and the south part for shops.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £200 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £130.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
WILLSESDEN GREEN
& DOLLIS HILL
Plenty of antipodeans and Saffas
live in sharehouses, roomshares
and flats in Willesden Green
(or Willy G, to residents). Places
range from scuzzy party houses
to refurbished properties for
professionals.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £200 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £110.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 3
CLAPHAM
Full of Aussies and Kiwis, Clapham

has a huge common, a long high
street and Britain’s busiest railway
– it’s safe to say it’s a pretty big
area. Thanks to this, it’s got a lot
to offer in terms of shops and bars.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £160 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £105.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
SOUTHFIELDS
This clean and safe patch of
south-west London is a favourite
with South Africans. With decent
transport links – as well as the
Tube, it’s got bus routes to
Clapham Junction, Putney Bridge,
Tooting Broadway and Richmond
– it’s also close to tennis mecca
Wimbledon. You’ll find plenty of
spacious sharehouses and flats.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £210 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £105.
››
TRANSPORT ZONE: 3

RENTAL DEPOSITS
A deposit is usually between one
and two months’ rent, but there’s
no set rule.
By law, your landlord must
then pay your deposit into a
government plan known as the
Deposit Protection Scheme, which
regulates claims to withhold some
or all of it. Landlords must give
details of the DPS within 14 days
of receiving the deposit.
If you and your landlord disagree
on a sum when it comes to
returning the deposit, contact
Shelter or the Citizens Advice
Bureau for information.
Deposits should also be returned
within 10 days of the end of your
tenancy.
The landlord can take money from
the deposit if the property or
contents are damaged, or if rent
hasn’t been paid.
VISIT DEPOSITPROTECTION.COM

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

23

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Home sweet home

WEST HAMPSTEAD
It’s pretty posh, with plenty
of professionals living in its
apartment complexes and flats
in converted houses, but it’s
a bit more down to earth than
neighbouring Hampstead. And
it’s also got a fairly big Aussie
and Kiwi contingent living there.
It’s a safe area and there’s a
Tube, Thameslink and Silverlink
Metro line. You’ll also find the O2
shopping centre, with lots of shops
and restaurants.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £210 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £150.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
EALING
Another west London spot for
antipodeans, with a few nice parks
hosting plenty ofAussie and Kiwi
sports events in the summer. There
are also plenty of shops, pubs and
24

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

restaurants to visit on evenings
and weekends, alongside the
Victorian townhouses turned into
flats that are available for rent.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £130 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £100.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 3
Other recommended spots
SHOREDITCH
Now London’s arty hub, hipsters
and creative types flock to
Shoreditch. It’s full of bars, clubs,
galleries and places to eat and it’s
a great place to be on weekends.
It’s also pretty handy if you find
yourself working in the City.
Transport links are great, with
several Tube stops and lots of bus
lines going into central London.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £230 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £140.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 1-2

BETHNAL GREEN
A little bit further out, but still
part of London’s ultra-hip East
End, Bethnal Green is close to
the chilled-out Victoria Park and
has a host of cheap top-notch
Bangladeshi eateries to enjoy.
Flats in big blocks are what you’re
most likely to find here, but the
area is still nice and leafy to make
up for it.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £180 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £130.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
Cheap areas
CAMBERWELL
South London’s artiest stop, with
plenty of rooms in converted
Edwardian and Victorian buildings.
It’s got a young, creative vibe
and independent pubs. Hang out
at the South London Gallery for
international art.

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN

RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £120 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £110.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
ELEPHANT & CASTLE
A residential spot that’s dirt cheap
for zone one and compared to
its surrounding areas. You’re a
15-minute walk from attractions
including the Imperial War
Museum and The Old Vic Theatre,
and within easy commuting
distance from the City and
central London.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £195 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £115.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 1
WALTHAMSTOW
Right at the top end of the Victoria
line, it’s a residential area that
has a good town-centre feel that
makes you feel like you’ve escaped
the city. It’s also got Europe’s
longest outdoor street market and
everything you need so you don’t
have to venture into town on
weekends if you don’t want to.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £100 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £75.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 3
EARLSFIELD
An often forgotten south-west
London suburb, near Tooting,
Battersea, Balham and Clapham,
filled with boutiques and
independent restaurants.
The many Victorian terraced
houses make good quality
rental properties.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £215 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £80.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 3
NEW CROSS
A super-cheap, skuzzy but arty
south-east London area where
Britpop legends Blur formed. Your
money will go further in the arty ››

Get acquainted with south London (aka “south of the river”)
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

25

TOUCHINGDOWN
bars and you’ll satisfy cravings
for jerk chicken as there are plenty
of tasty Caribbean eateries to
choose from.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £170 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £110.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2
POPLAR
Close to east London’s bars and
markets without the hefty price
tag. And you’re out of the city, in
its quiet residential surroundings
near the Thames. It’s also the
place to go for a good, traditional
London pie.
RENT: One-bedroom flat from
around £200 per week; double
room in a houseshare from £100.
TRANSPORT ZONE: 2

Signing the lease
Leases usually run for six or 12
months and landlords will ask
for proof of employment and
references from your bank or
previous landlord. Always read
the fine print when you sign your
contract and make a copy of it in
case you need to refer to it later.
Make sure you sign an inventory,
which lists the house’s contents
and any damaged areas and may
be useful if anything is deducted
from your deposit.
Tenant rights
Tenants have the right for their
accommodation to be kept in
a reasonable state of repair, and
there are certain things a landlord
is responsible for. These include

follow us on

@tntmagazine

basins, sinks, baths and toilets,
water and gas pipes, electrical
wiring, fixed and water heaters,
the structure and exterior or the
premises, such as walls, floors and
window frames, as well as drains,
gutters and external pipes, major
structural repairs and common
parts of the building like stairwells,
lifts and gardens. If an appliance
the landlord has supplied – such
as a washing machine or cooker
– breaks, it’s the landlord’s
responsibility to fix it. That’s
unless its failure was due to
a tenant’s negligence.
If you need any advice on how
to deal with any disagreements
between you and your landlord,
get in touch with Shelter housing
charity (shelter.org.uk) for
information.
SAFETY
Gas or electrical items your
landlord has provided, including
boilers, must be checked yearly.
Ask your landlord for a copy of the
Gas Safety record to check it’s all
up to date. The landlord must also
pay for any work to be carried out
to make sure it’s safe. Fire resistant
furniture has to be provided in
furnished properties too.
WEAR AND TEAR
Tenants aren’t responsible for this.
According to the Citizens Advice
Bureau, if wear and tear on a
property is so bad it could cause
injury, like if springs stick out from
a sofa or there’s a hole in the floor,
the landlord must sort it out.
ENTRY
Tenants are entitled to 24 hours’
notice if the landlord is coming to
the property for inspection.

Houseshares are a fun way to spend your time in London
26

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

EVICTION
What should you do if your
landlord tries to evict you before
the tenancy agreement is up? If it
comes to this, and in most cases it

like us on

TOUCHINGDOWN

facebook/tntmagazine

If your oven breaks, it’s your landlord’s responsibility

won’t, then the landlord needs to
have a court order. You have the
right to stay in your home until the
agreement ends unless there are
valid reasons for eviction, which
stand up in court, like unpaid rent
or damage to the property.
Landlord rights
Just as tenants have their rights,
it’s best to keep in mind that
landlords also have rights – it’s
a two-way thing.
RENT ENTITLEMENT
It may sound obvious, but
landlords reserve the right to
receive rent for their property.
You could get charged rent up to
the end of the notice period or
tenancy agreement if you leave
the property without proper
notice. Landlords can take their
tenants to court if they fail to pay
rent to get them evicted, so not

Cleaning rota: ending and causing arguments nationwide

paying rent to bargain with your
landlord may not be a smart move.
TREATMENT OF PROPERTY
Tenants are obliged to take care
of the property by doing small
jobs such as unblocking drains
and cleaning windows. These are
usually mentioned in the tenancy
agreement. If they make any
damage to furniture or fittings,
the landlord should be told so
they can agree on a repair or
replacement. The tenant’s deposit
may be used to cover costs for
damages, or in serious cases, the
landlord may go to court to get
them evicted.
RIGHT OF ENTRY
Landlords are permitted
“reasonable access” to the
property for repairs and in
an emergency they can enter
immediately. With 24 hours’

notice, they are permitted to visit
the property for inspection and
other non urgent tasks or repairs.
This should be outlined in your
contract.
INSURANCE
A landlord is responsible for the
building insurance, but they aren’t
responsible for tenants’ contents.
Anyone renting a property in
London should arrange their
own insurance cover for their
possessions. Confused.com is a
good site to start comparing prices
for cover on your contents.
BUSINESS
Tenants aren’t legally allowed to
use rented accommodation for
business purposes. If a tenant
does so, landlords have the right
to evict, so talk to your landlord
first if you’re thinking of doing
something like this. ❚
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

27

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Less tax, more beer: the hard work will be worth it

Stash your cash
You’ve places to go and people to meet, so maximise your time here by making
sure your hard-earned goes far. Here’s what you need to know about banking
Finding the right bank to use while your travelling
and working in the UK should be your top priority
after arriving, otherwise all your other admin will
be difficult to set up. You can count on us for advice.

OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT
FIND A LOCAL BRANCH
Banks can cautious about allowing foreigners to
open bank accounts because of the risk of money
laundering. So, while you might be offered an
account, it will come without the bells and whistles,
such as an overdraft allowance or credit card.
The best bet then for Australians and New
Zealanders then is to open a bank account with HSBC
(hsbc.co.uk) or ANZ (anz.com) before leaving home as
28

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

both have branches in the UK. Otherwise,
UK banks will normally ask for ID, proof of your
current address, statements from your bank at home
and money to activate the account.
Not all banks have an exhaustive list of demands
though, so it’s worth asking around.
Travelex (travelex.co.uk) is a foreign currency
business that can help you open a UK account with
HSBC. Apply for Travelex Australia or Travelex New
Zealand and then head to the Regent Street branch of
HSBC in London to collect your card and pin number.
USE AN AGENT
There is plenty of help at hand if you’d just like
someone to take care of business. Try 1st Contact
(1stcontact.com) and South African company Overseas

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN

CHECK
IT OUT

Surprise: you might
eventually get something
back from the tax man

TAX-FREE SAVINGS
An Individual Savings Account
(known as an ISA) is a special kind
of UK account allowing you to
earn interest, but pay no tax.
Each UK resident over the age

Visitors Club (ovc.co.za), which
can help you get the show on the
road for a fee. They already have
established ties with several major
banks and can cut through all that
annoying paperwork.
DO IT YOURSELF
If you don’t have a penny to
spare, sort your financial matters
independently. Just bear in mind
it’ll take some legwork.
Help yourself out by gathering
as much documentation as
possible, including proof of ID
(passport, driving licence, birth
certificate) and proof of your UK
address (utility bill or a lease with
your name on it).
Also consider bringing a
letter from your bank at home
as a record of your credit history,
and a letter from your agency or
employer in the UK.

CREDIT CARD & OVERDRAFT
Obtaining a credit card when
you first arrive in the UK will be
difficult, so you’re best to bring
one from home.
Securing an overdraft will be
simpler, but interest rates are high,
so if you’re prone to a blow-out,
you could find yourself quickly
in debt – not least because banks
charge penalty rates for exceeding
your overdraft limit.

TAXES & FEES
The less tax you have to pay,
the better, right? It’ll take some
research to work out how, but
worth it in the long run.
TYPES OF TAX
The most common taxation status
for Aussies, Kiwis and South
Africans working in the UK is PAYE

of 16 is allowed to invest a total
of £10,680 in the ISA scheme. Of
this amount, it’s possible to put
£5,340 into what’s called a cash
ISA and then the remainder into
stocks and shares. Shop around
if you want to open an ISA as
the interest rates vary widely.

or Pay As You Earn, where tax is
deducted by your employer prior
to you receiving your pay. PAYE
tax is made up of income tax and
National Insurance.
When you leave a job, you will
be issued a P45, and you’ll get
a P60 at the end of the tax year
showing your earnings.
Put these documents in a safe
place as you’ll need to show them
if you wish to claim a tax refund.
Travellers wishing to maximise
their after-tax earnings, especially ››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

29

www.1stcontact.com/tntguide

Millions over pay on their
tax each year...Did you?
Claim your tax refund through 1st Contact.
1 in 3 people working in the UK are due a tax refund and you could be one of them
– especially if you had more than one job or did not work for the full financial year.
Beat the rush and get your claim in now!
We work on a ‘No refund, No fee’ policy so you have nothing to lose!

> Free no obligation quote
> Over 130 000 successful claims
> Member of the Association of Tax agents

Double discount deal
Claim your tax back and
ship your goods home
with us, for a double
discount deal!

If you are going home, make sure you claim your tax refund and receive a double
discount on your shipping and tax refund. Get what’s rightfully owed to you!

0808 141 5502

taxrefunds@1stcontact.com
www.1stcontact.com/tntguide

43924

*£1200 is roughly the average amount owed to a Tax Refund client.
Your personal claim will depend on your individual circumstances.

www.1stcontact.com/tntguide

Need assistance
with UK visas?

Want to extend your stay in the UK?
1st Contact Visas offer an efďŹ cient immigration visa service that will enable you to
remain or extend your stay in the UK.
>
>
>
>

Want to know more, or have your eligibility checked by our professional consultants?

0808 141 1664
43924

www.1stcontact.visas.com
visas@1stcontact.com
1st Contact Visas are regulated and authorised to provide immigration advice/services by the
Immigration Services Commissioner number F200100004.

TOUCHINGDOWN
contractors, should opt to set
up a limited company (see P65).
COUNCIL TAX
This is a pesky tax levied by local
authorities to pay for services
such as waste collection, libraries,
leisure facilities, recycling, police,
fire brigade and other community
services. The rate is based on the
value of the property you’re living
in and can range from an average
(based on ‘band D’) of £13 per
month in Wandsworth to £34.36 in
Richmond-Upon-Thames, a month.
You will need to register to
pay the tax once you’ve settled
into a flat or house; there is only
one bill per household.
TV LICENSING FEE
The authorities come down heavily
on those who avoid paying for
a TV licence. It’s the price you

follow us on

pay for the luxury of not having
your favourite BBC programmes
interrupted by advertisements.
The annual cost is £145.50 for five
channels; purchase it online at
tvlicensing.co.uk. If the ‘Beeb’ isn’t
doing it for you, you can purchase
cable from Virgin Media, Sky, BT
and other providers (but you’ll still
need to buy a licence). They usually
have deals for new customers
– compare online at cable.co.uk.
NATIONAL INSURANCE
Everyone who is employed or selfemployed and aged over 16 pays
national insurance, as long as your
earnings are more than a certain
level. The insurance covers state
pensions, social security and
health services.
It is a good idea to get an NI
number as soon as you arrive as
››
most employers will require it

COST OF CITY LIFE
The value of the pound has
depreciated over the past couple
of years, so you’ll find the cost of
eating and having a good time in
London won’t break the bank as
much as it used to. Check out the
approximate prices below:
Food
A week’s groceries: £40-£50
Pub lunch: £5-£12
Restaurant meal: £20+
McDonald’s meal: £4-£5
Alcohol
Wine from the supermarket: £5
A six-pack of lager from an
off-licence: £5-£6
A pint at the pub: £3.20
Entertainment
Gig tickets: £15-£50
Movie tickets: £5-£15
Museums and art galleries:
mostly free
Travel
Single bus journey: £2.20 or £1.30
on Oyster
Zone 1-2 day Travelcard (peak): £8
Zone 1-2 Travelcard weekly: £27.60
Zone 1-3 Travelcard weekly: £32.20

32

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

@tntmagazine

Pesky paperwork: don’t let it get the better of you

like us on

TOUCHINGDOWN

facebook/tntmagazine

Bank on it: do some research on your banking options
before you can start work. It also
makes it easier to access hospital
services should you need them.
NI numbers are issued through
the Department for Work and
Pensions (dwp.gov.uk).
APPLY FOR AN NI NUMBER
Once you arrive in the UK, aim to
make an appointment as soon as
possible to obtain a NI number.
Call 0845 600 0643 from 8am6pm, Monday-Friday, to arrange
a visit at your nearest JobCentre.
Take your passport, a letter
confirming you are employed
or registered with a recruitment
agency, and two or three other
forms of ID. Once you’ve been
successfully interviewed, expect
to receive your NI number in the
post within eight weeks.
Alternatively, if you’ve already
started working, your employer
may be able to apply for you.

CLAIM BACK NI PAYMENTS
It’s recommended once you
have an NI number, you look
into contracting out of the state
pension in order to receive a
rebate when you return home.
NI contributions are allocated
to the State Second Pension, which
is a government-administered fund
that foots the bill when you retire.
If you contract out of this
scheme before the end of the tax
year, you can direct your funds to
your own personal pension fund,
which will be set up as part of the
NI rebate process.
PENSIONS
With all the NI contributions
you’ve made, you may as well try
to get something back.
You can transfer your payments
into a pension fund of your choice
back in your home country. Your
employer in the UK may also offer

a suitable pension scheme, so it is
worth making some inquiries.
See pensionsadvisoryservice.
org.uk for more pension advice. ❚

Get your NI card asap

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

33

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Navigating London’s bus system can seem scary, but you’ll get used to it in no time

From A to B
London’s transport network may be complilcated, but it’ll take you where you
need to be. Get your map out, it’s time to find your feet WORDS CLARE VOOGHT
Finding your feet

you’re travelling through. Zone 1 covers central London
It may seem daunting at first, but you’ll soon get
and zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 continue in rings going away
to grips with London’s network of buses and trains
from the centre.
– and you’ll be complaining about it like every other
Make sure you get yourself an Oyster card as soon
Londoner in no time.
as you arrive – it’s much cheaper than buying tickets as
you go. The electronic smart-card can be topped up and
The Tube’s your best bet when you first arrive, as
it’s the quickest and easiest way to get around the
used on the Underground, Overground, bus network
city. North London is best served by the Underground, and Thames river boats. You can buy one at Tube
but you can get around the parts of the south the
stations, convenience stores or online at tfl.gov.uk.
tube doesn’t cover pretty easily too on buses and rail
You need to pay a £5 deposit when you first get
services. We’ve outlined the basics, but it’s also worth your Oyster, but this is refundable when it is returned.
checking out Transport For London’s website tfl.gov.uk Then add some cash to get started, which will be
for maps, ticket prices and a handy journey planner.
deducted every time you swipe it for a journey.
Top up via Tube station ticket booths, self-service
Tickets and zones
machines, or online. Or you can set your Oyster to
London’s transport services are divided into six zones, be topped up automatically from your bank account
whenever it falls below a certain balance.
and the price of your ticket depends which zones
34

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

Zone 1 journeys on the Tube
cost £2 with an Oyster but it costs
a hefty £4.30 per journey when
you pay with cash on the day.
And to take the bus, it’s £1.35
a pop with your Oyster, but
£2.30 in cash.
If you take several journeys
in one day on your Oyster, your
spending will be capped at the cost
of a day Travelcard, so you’ll never
be paying more than you would if
you’d bought a normal ticket.
Travelcards, or season tickets,
are also a good, cheap way
to travel, especially if you’re
commuting, as they allow you
unlimited Tube, bus and train
travel in designated zones.
For zones 1-2, a day Travelcard
is £8.40 to travel anytime and £7
off peak. Or it’s £29.20 for a week,
£112.20 a month and £1,168 a
year. See tfl.gov.uk/oyster for more
information.
The Tube
With 11 lines, plus DLR and
Overground lines, 260 stations and
has 402km of track, the Tube is a
vast system. The oldest subway in
the world, London’s Metropolitan
line was the first to be built in
1863. So now it isn’t in fantastic
nick (there’s no air conditioning),
but it works alright and it’s how
most Londoners get to work.
Affectionately called “the
Tube” (or “the fucking bastard
Tube” when it’s down), it runs
from around 5.30am until just
after midnight. It gets pretty
crowded at peak times, so if you
can avoid it then, do.

Swipe this to save on travel

TOUCHINGDOWN
Get around your new city

Because the Olympics
are coming up this summer,
engineering works causing lines to
shut are common, especially during
the weekend. The Underground
is set to be crammed when the
games arrive in London, so take
alternative transport, walk or cycle
from July 27 to August 12 if you
can. Always check the TfL website
ahead of time to find out line
closures.

London Line, connecting New
Cross, Crystal Palace and West
Croydon with Dalston Junction and
then onto Highbury and Islington.
For up-to-date information on
London’s rail services, see the TfL
website or nationalrail.co.uk.
Taxis and minicabs

London cabbies are some of the
best in the world – they know the
streets of the city
the backs of
DID YOU KNOW? like
Travel by bus
their hands. Yellow
A Tube train travels on
lights mean black
The London
average 76,800 miles, or
cabs are available
bus system is a
123,600 kilometres, a year.
for hire, so flag
labyrinth, which
those ones down.
still baffles locals at
You’ll pay a lot for cabs in London,
times, but it’s worth mastering. As
but they are handy at the end of
buses are cheaper, opting to travel
a night out.
by double decker instead of the
Minicabs are usually a bit
Tube is a good way to save your
cheaper than taxis, and firms are
cash. It also covers the areas of
all over the city, but they can’t be
London not covered by the Tube,
and there are plenty of night buses flagged, so call ahead. It’s good to
ask for the price of your trip first,
running when the Underground is
because they don’t all have fare
shut. Maps and travel information
metres.
are available via TfL.
Never risk using an unlicensed
Rail services
minicab, no matter how badly you
want to get home, because they’re
Some parts of London are better
notoriously dangerous.
reached by rail, like Hackney,
To get numbers of reputable
Battersea, Peckham, Denmark
taxi firms near you, text “CAB”
Hill and a host of other spots. The
to 60835.
newest addition is the handy East
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

35

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Don’t lose contact with people at home who matter the most

Stay in touch
Now you’re living miles away, your family might appreciate a phonecall now
and then. Here’s how to get the best deals on communicating WORDS CLARE VOOGHT
Shopping around is the golden rule when it comes
to looking for a phone or internet contract to help
you communicate with people at home. There are
so many deals out there, so don’t commit until you’re
100 per cent happy.
Landlines
Antipodeans are lucky to find providers that offer
free calls to landlines back in Australia and New
Zealand, such as SkyTalk with its Unlimited package
and BT’s International Freedom bolt-on, both £5
a month. Don’t take up a contract unless you get a
deal like this, which you can usually get when you
sign up to a monthly contract with a provider for
around £8-£15.
Unfortunately, we haven’t heard of a South
36

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

African equivalent deal, but calls to SA landlines can be
made from 2p a minute depending on your provider.
If you’re not worried about calling home, there are
lots of phone packages that offer deals on inclusive
calls. But check for connection charges before you sign
up, as any monthly savings can be cancelled out by
up-front fees.
Mobile phones
You’ll need one of these as soon as you get off the
plane. Either get your phone from home unlocked here
and use a British SIM card once you’ve set up a contract
or on pay as you go.
Or if you want to get a new one, the prices of
smartphones (iPhone, Blackberry or Android) have
gone down a lot recently. Most providers offer a

like us on

TOUCHINGDOWN

facebook/tntmagazine

subsidised handset if you sign
up to a contract – you can get
a smartphone for as little as
£10 a month, usually on an 18or 24-month contract. These have
the added perks of a camera,
music and internet with them,
and they’ve also got GPS so you
can find your way when you’re lost
in London.
If you use your phone a lot,
it might be cheaper to get a
contract, but if you don’t use it
much then pay as you go may be
the best option for you. When
picking a service provider, the best
advice is to do as much research
as you can over whether you want
to get a contract or go pre-paid.
If you’re prepared to hunt and
haggle, there are some great deals
out there. Also bear in mind that
some phone shop staff might be
paid commission for selling certain
brands or models.
Phone cards
You can get these handy gems
from newsagents and websites.
They’ll give you generously
discounted calls to foreign
countries – some let you call
Australia for just 1.5p per minute.
Use them on any phone, but
watch for additional charges if
using a mobile. Also be careful to
look for extra costs if you use the
cards at particular times of day.
Aside from that, they’re usually
as good a saving as they seem.

WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
PAY AS YOU GO
PROS: You won’t have to pay
a monthly fee and won’t be on a
contract. Phone credit is easy to
buy and can also be hooked up to
your bankcard.
CONS: Calls and texts usually cost
more and you have to pay the full
price for a smartphone on PAYG
deals.
IDEAL FOR: Anyone who mostly
texts or plans to use the phone just
for social calls in the evenings and
at weekends.

PAY MONTHLY
PROS: You get a lot more for your
money and you never run out of
credit. Providers often offer cheaper
international calls and you don’t
usually have to fork out a lot initially
to get a smartphone.
CONS: Fees are monthly and you’ll
be locked into a contract for 12-24

sure you find out about connection
fees, modem and router costs
before signing up to make sure
you’re paying the least possible
overall.
Like with phones, there are
some brilliant deals to be found.
Some come with a landline and
Sky or Cable TV – which might be

Contracts are often cheaper
months. If you lose the phone and
don’t have insurance you won’t get
the money back.
IDEAL FOR: Anyone who uses their
phone a lot, especially for work as
you’ll need the bills to claim
expenses.

handy now winter’s approaching.
Virgin and Sky do competitive
bundle packages like these, which
are well worth checking out.
Or if you’d rather your home
was an internet free zone, there
are plenty of internet cafes to be
used on every high street. Usage
costs from around 50p an hour.

Internet
Always shop around before
you commit to a contract with
an internet provider too. An
important thing to look for if
you’re renting in a shared house is
unlimited usage – it’s worth paying
that little bit extra for it to avoid
getting slapped with a massive bill
if too many downloads are made
by multiple users. Always check
the fine print. Also, always make

Smartphone or old school... decisions, decisions
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

37

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Don’t call 999! It’s just man flu

Avoid sick notes
Life in London comes at a frantic pace, so do all you can to stop getting ill.
However, if you are feeling worse for wear, here’s our guide on what to do
WORDS CLARE VOOGHT

THE hectic lifestyle and non-stop partying you’re
likely to get into when you arrive in London means
it pays to make the effort and stay healthy. There’s
something going on 24/7 so you’ll want to keep up.
If you do get sick, here’s where to go and what to do
to get you back in the game as quickly as possible.
Emergency numbers
Make sure you know what number to call in an
emergency – in Britain, it’s 999. Most hospitals in
the UK have 24-hour accident and emergency (A&E)
departments, where you can get treated without an
appointment. You’ll have to wait though.
Doctor Doctor
Get to a doctor as soon as you can, because
38

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

you’ll need to be registered before you can get an
appointment. To find a surgery in your area, contact
NHS Direct on 0845 4647, or visit nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
Make an appointment with one that’s got space for
new patients. If you’re caught short and need a doctor
quickly, you can also visit a walk-in centre without an
appointment. You’ll have to wait but don’t need to be
registered. They can be found across London. Search
on nhs.uk for walk-in centre locations.
Prescriptions
If your doctor prescribes you some meds, they cost
a standard rate of £7.40 per script. And if you know
you’re going to be on regular medication, it’s worth
getting yourself a prescription prepayment certificate
(PPC), which caps how much you’re spending. A PPC

like us on

TOUCHINGDOWN

facebook/tntmagazine

for three months costs £29.10 and
for 12 months it’s £104.
Sexual health
If you get a prescription from
your doctor for contraception, it’s
entirely free. As is the morningafter pill if you get it prescribed or
visit A&E or a sexual health centre.
Or you can buy it over the counter
from pharmacies from about £25.
Women over 25 who are sexually
active are recommended to have
a smear test every three years,
which is also free. These are
usually carried out by a nurse.
If you want a sexual health test,
visit a sexual health clinic – find
your nearest one at nhs.uk.
The perfect smile
So now you know how to deal
with anything that’s up with your
body, make sure you’ve got your
teeth covered. Some dentists
are registered with the National
Health Service, but these aren’t
free; you’ll still need to pay a
fraction of your treatment costs.

BE NICE
Good manners help you get the
best health service. At the doctor’s
surgery, remember you’re not the
only sick person there. It can take
a while to see a GP, but it’s not the
receptionist’s fault, so don’t take it
out on them. A polite manner and
friendly smile might get you seen
by the duty doctor if you’re feeling
really ill.

Waiting lists are notoriously long,
but you can find NHS dentists in
your area by calling NHS Direct or
visiting their website. If waiting
lists are long, there are plenty
of private dentists around, but
they can be pricey. If you’re
brave, you can get yourself an
appointment at a dental school for
free. The students are supervised
by qualified dentists and this is
available nationwide, offered
by hospitals such as Guy’s in
Southwark, London.
Hospital treatment
The UK’s network of hospitals is
extensive, and free treatment on

the NHS is available to anyone
living in the country – so being
injured shouldn’t ruin you. This
extends to all treatment you
receive, from X-rays and tests
to surgery. You also won’t be
surprised with an ambulance bill
if you have to call one out in an
emergency – they’re also free on
the NHS.
Private healthcare
Some employers offer their staff
private health and dental care as
a perk. Otherwise, they may give
you access to subsidised health
benefits, which can take the
form of a private health policy.
Alternatively, you can buy regular
medical insurance through a
variety of providers that’ll cover
you for quick private treatment
at varying degrees of cover. Your
employer may also subsidise a
health cash plan, or you can join
one independently for medical,
dental and optical care. These
let you reclaim part of the costs
of treatment.

An ambulance; left NHS
treatment is free to those
living in the UK

[Caption]
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

39

LONDON 2012
ACCOMMODATION
Our experienced and knowledgeable team are working
with Sports Associations and Tourist Visitors to offer
solutions and hospitality in London. A range of hotels to
suit every budget from hostels to mid range to 5 star.
Private homes are available for those looking for a cost
effective solution for the whole family.
5* Star Hotels

Debit cards accepted online, the rate you see is the rate you actually get!

0808 141 2339
40

tntMagazine.com

money@1stcontact.com
www.1stcontact.com/tntguide

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN
LONDON OLYMPICS

The world watches
During the Olympics, London will become the centre of the universe for about
six weeks. Make sure you’re in town as it promises to be one hell of a party
WORDS KELSEY CLARK

The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic
Games will take place on July 27 2012, and will mark
the beginning of the XXX Olympiad. It will also
mark the beginning of crowded streets, stuffy Tube
rides and over-priced souvenirs of the rather strange
Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville (above).
Expect the Queen to be greeted at the entrance of
the Olympic Stadium by President of the International
Olympic Committee and the Chair of the Organising
Committee – hopefully they don’t forget to bow!
Here’s our complete list of London 2012 Olympic
venues hosting the Games next year:

Paralympic swimming, modern pentathlon.
ABOUT: This new, permanent structure features
a wave-like roof longer than Heathrow Terminal 5.
It has a bridge over the top where two thirds of the
spectators are expected to clamber into the Olympic
Park. Just make sure you don’t take a topple – your
dive will look childish in comparison to the athletes.
WHEN: Diving, Jul 29-Aug 11; swimming, Jul 28Aug 4; synchronised swimming, Aug 5-10; modern
pentathlon, Aug 11-12; Paralympic swimming, Aug
30-Sep 8.

BMX bandits will race at Stratford
WHERE: This arena is one of
the largest temporary Olympic
venues ever built. Workers will
need to transform it quickly,
removing basketball equipment
and installing handball goals to
accommodate the variety of events
during the Games.
WHEN: Basketball, Jul 28-Aug 12;
wheelchair basketball, Aug 30Sep 8; wheelchair rugby, Sep 5-9;
handball, Jul 28-Aug 12.
BMX Track
WHERE: Olympic Park, Stratford,
east London.
WHAT: BMX cycling.
ABOUT: This new 400m track will
be reconfigured after the Games
for community use as a part of the
new VeloPark.
WHEN: Aug 8-10.
Brands Hatch
WHERE: Kent.
WHAT: Paralympic road cycling.
ABOUT: Brands Hatch is an
internationally renowned motor
racing circuit that has hosted
the British Grand Prix with great
success for two decades.
WHEN: Sep 5-8.
42

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

City of Coventry Stadium
WHERE: Coventry, Midlands.
WHAT: Football.
ABOUT: Usually home to the
Coventry City football club, the
stadium will be a London 2012
Live Site venue, with a large
screen installed at the city centre
screening live events.
WHEN: Jul 25-Aug 11.
Earls Court
WHERE: Earls Court, west London.
WHAT: Volleyball.
ABOUT: An existing exhibition
centre first opened in 1937.
WHEN: Jul 28-Aug 12.
Eton Dorney
WHERE: London.
WHAT: Rowing, paralympic
rowing, canoe sprint.
ABOUT: Dorney Lake features a
2,200m, eight-lane rowing course
built to international standards.
This will be the first year the canoe
sprint event is featured in the
Olympic Games.
WHEN: Rowing, Jul 28-Aug 4;
Paralympic rowing, canoe sprint,
Aug 6-11; Paralympic rowing, Aug
31-Sep 2.

LONDON LIVE SITES
If you’ve missed the boat to
score tickets to any of the events,
watching the Games at one the
capital’s special Oympic zones is
the next-best thing.
HYDE PARK Chill out on the grass
and watch the action of six screens,
including a 144m2 whopper.
VICTORIA PARK It’s right near the
Olympic Stadium, so go on the
observation wheel for a great view.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE Try different
sports at the open-air headquarters
for the Paralympics.
londonlive.uk.com

Eton Manor
WHERE: Olympic Park, Stratford,
east London.
WHAT: Wheelchair tennis.
ABOUT: A new sporting facility
now stands on the site of the old
Eton Manor Sports Club, unused
since 2001. The versatile venue
will have temporary training pools
during the Olympics, and will
host wheelchair tennis during the
Paralympic Games. Wheelchair

like us on

TOUCHINGDOWN

facebook/tntmagazine

LONDON OLYMPICS

No pulling punches at the ExCel Centre
tennis has the same rules as ablebodied tennis, with the exception
that the wheelchair tennis player is
allowed two bounces of the ball.
WHEN: Sep 1-8.

WHERE: South-east London.
WHAT: Equestrian events
– jumping, dressage and eventing,
paralympic equestrian, modern
pentathalon.
ABOUT: Greenwich Park is
London’s oldest Royal Park and a
World Heritage site, dating back to
1433. More than 200 athletes will
compete for six gold medals in the
equestrian sports, the only Olympic
sport in which men and women
compete against each other on
equal terms.
WHEN: Jumping, Aug 4-8;
dressage, Aug 2-9; eventing,
Jul 28-31; Aug 11-12, modern
pentathlon, Paralympic equestrian,
Aug 30-Sep 4.

WHERE: At the heart of
Whitehall, close to Downing Street
and Buckingham Palace
WHAT: Beach volleyball.
ABOUT: The parade ground dates
from 1745 and hosts a ceremony
on the Queen’s official birthday
each year. Sand will be brought
in to create a temporary beach.
WHEN: Jul 28-Aug 9.

north of the Olympic Park.
WHAT: Canoe slalom.
ABOUT: A new course with two
canoe slaloms was constructed for
the Games. A 10,000m² lake is also
being constructed, complete with
pumps to create white water and
obstacles in the course.
WHEN: Jul 29-Aug 2.

major sporting events such as the
London Marathon, the smaller
Olympic and Paralympic marathons
seem small potatoes with just 80
athletes in each race.
WHEN: Athletics, Aug 3-12; road
cycling, Jul 28-Aug 1; Paralympic
athletics, Aug 31-Sep 9.

Hyde Park

Lord’s Cricket Ground

WHERE: London’s West End
What: Triathlon, marathon
swimming.
ABOUT: Open to the public since
1637, the park is expected to be
home to music, theatre, film and
cultural events in the summer. A
temporary grandstand and course
will be constructed for the Games.
WHEN: Triathlon Aug 4-7;
marathon swimming, Aug 10.

WHERE: Across the Thames from
the Olympic Park.
WHAT: Artistic gymnastics,
trampoline, basketball, wheelchair
basketball.
ABOUT: Originally built for the

Lee Valley White Water Centre
WHERE: Hertfordshire, 30 km
44

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Millennium Stadium

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN
LONDON OLYMPICS

The Olympic Stadium will be
the focal point of the Games

millennium celebrations, the arena athletics as well as the opening
has been transformed into a sports and closing ceremonies.
and entertainment arena.
ABOUT: The new permanent
WHEN: Artistic gymnastics,
structure is its own modern-day
Jul 28-Aug 7; trampoline, Aug
fortress, surrounded on three
3-4; basketball, Jul 28-Aug
sides by water. Fans and spectators
12; wheelchair
will enter the
basketball, Aug 30stadium via five
To keep up-to-date with the
Sep 8.
bridges. Some
Olympics, check in at these
80,000 people
useful websites:
Old Trafford
can fit into the
The official site of the
stadium. After
WHERE: Near
Olympics: olympic.org
the Games, it
Manchester, northThe latest on the London
Games: london2012.com
will continue to
west England.
Coverage from the BBC:
hold sporting
WHAT: Football
bbc.co.uk/2012
and cultural
– two events.
An exhaustive Olympics
community
ABOUT: Home to
forum:
events.
Manchester United
the2012londonolympics.com
WHEN:
Football Club, the
Athletics, Aug
venue was expanded
3-12; Paralympic athletics Aug
to 76,000 making it the second31-Sep 9.
largest football ground in the UK.
WHEN: Jul 25-Aug 11.
Olympic Village
Olympic Stadium
WHERE: Olympic Park, Stratford.
WHERE: Olympic Park, Stratford.
WHAT: The stadium will host 208
events, athletics and paralympic

WHAT: Home for athletes and
officials during the Games.
ABOUT: The village will comprise

residential apartments for some
17,000 athletes and officials. After
the Olympics, the village will
provide essential new housing for
east London with 2,800 homes.
The Royal Artillery Barracks
WHERE: South-east London.
WHAT: Shooting, paralympic
shooting, paralympic archery.
ABOUT: The venue is part of
the port of Woolwich, with a
military history beginning with the
barracks’ construction in 1776.
WHEN: Shooting, Jul 28-Aug 6;
paralympic shooting, Aug 30Sep 6; paralympic archery, Aug
30-Sep 5.
St James’ Park
WHERE: Newcaste-upon-Tyne,
north-east England.
WHAT: Football.
ABOUT: Newcastle United have
given up their stadium for the
quarter-finals of the men’s and
women’s competitions.
WHEN: Jul 25-Aug 11.
››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

WHERE: Dorset.
WHAT: Sailing, paralympic sailing.
ABOUT: The harbour was the first
2012 Games venue to be finished.
Despite the early completion
date, there will be no seating for
spectators – standing or sitting on
the ground will be the only option
for sailing enthusiast crowds.
WHEN: Sailing, Jul 29-Aug 11;
Paralympic sailing, Sep 1-6.

Wembley Stadium

Wimbledon

WHERE: North-west London.
WHAT: Football.
ABOUT: Each seat in the new
stadium has a guaranteed
unrestricted view of the pitch.
Wembley is the biggest of the six
Olympic stadiums, and will host
the gold medal events in men’s
and women’s football.
WHEN: Jul 25-Aug 11.

WHERE: South-west London.
WHAT: Tennis.
ABOUT: Wimbledon has been
home to the world-famous
self-named tennis tournament
since 1877. It is the only major
grass-court tennis venue in the
world and will once again host the
world’s biggest names.
WHEN: Jul 28-Aug 5. ❚

Water Polo Arena
WHERE: Olympic Park, alongside
the Aquatics Centre, Stratford.
WHAT: Water polo.
ABOUT: The arena contains a
warm-up pool as well as the
competition pool and will be
deconstructed after the games.
WHEN: Jul 29-Aug 12.
46

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN
LONDON OLYMPICS

The after party
Not only is London the sporting destination for 2012, but there is some top
entertainment planned as well. Here’s our guide to the cream of the crop

MUSIC
Damon Albarn, Leona Lewis (below) and Rufus
Wainwright will be among the acts taking centrestage in the evenings, hoping to produce a different
kind of gold-medal performance. Albarn, the former
Blur front-man and the brains behind Gorillaz, will be
presenting his opera, Dr Dee (doctorjohndee.tumblr.
com), which tells the story of Queen Elizabeth I’s most
brilliant adviser, at the London Coliseum.

if London becomes too much. Closer to home, check
out West End Live (westendlive.co.uk) in Trafalgar
Square on the weekend of June 23-24 for highlights
from London’s best musicals.

ART

OUTDOORS

London’s galleries will be going all-out – there
will be a major Damien Hirst (above) exhibition at
the Tate Modern (tate.org.uk/modern), as well as a
new show from Tracey Emin in her home town of
Margate. At the same time, Yoko Ono will be the
subject of a major exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery
(serpentinegallery.org) in the middle of Hyde Park.

There will be crazy carnivals and outdoor events all
over the UK, so if you fancy getting out of London
during the Games, there’s plenty on offer. You could,
for example, make the trip up to Stonehenge (see
P109), to coincide with the Salisbury Arts Festival
(salisburyfestival.co.uk). It’s an incredible atmosphere
and the sight of the standing stones, lit only by
firelight (right) is truly memorable.

THEATRE
If the rhythmic gymnastics aren’t enough to sate
your appetite for culture, you can always take in
a performance at the World Shakespeare Festival
(worldshakespearefestival.org.uk), which has
attracted productions from all over the world,
including China, Iraq and Brazil, and runs until
September. It could be a good excuse for a road-trip

London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the capital’s
Cultural Olympiad, will bring thousands of events and
attractions, ensuring there’s plenty for you to do if you feel
you’ve overdone the sport. It runs from June 21 to Sep 9
– ticket prices vary and are sold individually according to
the events. See festival.london2012.com for full programme

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

47

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN

Capitalising on the
capital: make sure you
see all the top attractions

Being a tourist
Once you’ve landed, don’t waste any time getting out and seeing what this
wondrously vibrant, diverse, history-drenched city has to offer WORDS ALASDAIR MORTON
London Eye

The Thames

Unveiled in 2000 as part of London’s millennium
celebrations, The London Eye stands on the banks
of the Thames by the historic Waterloo Station. The
largest ‘ferris wheel’ in Europe, it offers panoramic
views over this global city that are, quite simply,
breathtaking. Wrapped up in a capsule that offers
a 360-degree vantage point, you can truly appreciate
this iconic city’s breadth, scale and beauty. To the
south is the soon-to-be finished The Shard,
northwards the extension of the city past The Mall,
St Paul’s and beyond, and just over the river there’s
the Houses of Parliament. Each ‘flight’ takes 45
minutes, book for dusk and watch as the city lights
up before your very eyes.
londoneye.com

The Thames is the birthplace of London. Jump on
a boat tour and take in the scenery and a host of
history-drenched landmarks from a vantage point
of leisure, from the city centre out to Richmond in the
leafy ‘burbs. Or opt for the Thames cycle path instead
from Putney to Henry VIII’s stomping ground of
Hampton Court – not only does it offer some of
London’s finest walking and cycling trails, but there’s
plenty of pubs too to stop at to quench your thirst.
tfl.gov.uk and walklondon.org.uk
West End Show
With unrivalled breadth and depth on offer, the West
End is the one true rival to Broadway. Whether it be
a musical or a comedy, a traditional classic or a
››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

49

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

contemporary upstart, there is
no end to your choice. With
Chinatown on hand to offer an
equally diverse platter of delights
for a pre-show dine, and the trendy
hipster bars of nearby Soho
providing the perfect watering
hole for post-show discussions,
the West End is a must-visit
London locale.
Book discounted tix at
tntmagazine.eolts.co.uk
South Bank
Doused in London’s artistic and
creative juices, the South Bank pulls
together shopping, eating and
cultural activities into a popular
venue of some repute. Visit
Shakespeare’s Globe, take a tour
underground in the Old Vic Tunnels
beneath Waterloo station, take to
the water with the London Duck
Tours on an aquatic-vehicle used in
the D-Day landings, indulge your
artistic side at the Tate Modern
or just soak up all the art, film and
music that the Southbank Centre
– the largest single-run arts centre
in the world – has to offer.
southbankcentre.co.uk

The London Eye: a absolute must see
Sunday Lunch

British food is something of a
laughing stock in global culinary
circles – it comes as little surprise
that the Poms’ takeaway of choice
British Museum
is an Indian. But the traditional
Sunday roast is the one time they
Sheathed in a neck-straining glass
knocked it out of the park. Chicken,
canopy, the British Museum is
beef or lamb, it
widely regarded as
matters not
one of the world’s
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
The House of Commons makes
when its served
finest museums of
for
a
fascinating
delve
into
up with roast
human history and
British traditions, the public
potatoes, a
culture. Comprised
gallery an eye-opening
garden of veg
of a single visitexperience. Harvey Nichols
and waistlinedefying eight
and Regent Street’s Liberty
bothering
million works from
take shopping experiences to
Yorkshire
around the world,
the next level. Hampstead is
the hang out of London’s rich
puddings and
many of these are
and famous, and the soon-togravy.
from other
be completed cable car over
Accompanied by
countries, which has
the Thames is a smash tourist
the odd bevvie
led to continued
success in waiting.
to wash it down
controversy with
– and banish the
several demanding
after-effects still lingering from the
the return of their national
night before – this is one British
artefacts. Controversy be damned
tradition that is worth its weight in
though – this is one epic haul.
salt. Not to be missed.
britishmuseum.org
50

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Brick Lane
An iconic London district, so much
so, it even spawned a movie set in
the midst of its culturally-diverse
surrounds, Brick Lane is a must for
curry fans with its Bangladeshi
history making for a diverse
experience for the tastebuds.
Trendy Shoreditch types have
added to the area’s gentrification,
with all manner of vintage shops
and boundless exhibition spaces,
and the Sunday Up Market housed
within the Old Truman Brewery
specialises in vintage clothes,
jewellery and art. The vibrant
character and energy is infectious.
London Sporting Venues
London houses a smorgasbord
of world class and iconic sports
grounds. Arsenal’s 60,000 capacity
home at the Emirates dominates
north London with the recently
developed Wembley out west,
home to international fixtures (and
the odd superstar concert too).

like us on

TOUCHINGDOWN

facebook/tntmagazine

Take a stadium tour of Chelsea’s
west London Stamford Bridge
residence in the plush surrounds
of Fulham and visit England’s
Twickenham home to see the turf
on which the boys ‘underperform’
on a regular basis. Lord’s holds fort
as one of the country’s most
prestigious cricketing venues and
the postal code of SW17 is
synonymous with Wimbledon, the
birthplace of lawn tennis and one
of four annual grand slam
competitions. They’re still searching
for their first Brit champ since 1936.
sport4allseasons.com
Big Ben
Arguably the most famous
landmark in the whole city, Big
Ben stands proud at the north end
of the Palace of Westminster - Ben
being the name given to the bell
inside the tower that chimes every
hour. Famous from any film with a
scene set in London, take a walk
around the tower’s environs and
take in the history.
bigben.parliament.co.uk
Madame Tussauds
A tourist attraction that is as cheesy
as it is essential, Tussauds has
waxworks of folk from pop,
fashion, sports and, of course, the
royal family. So pop by and check
out the likenesses of Prince Charles,

Lady Gaga, David Beckham,
Wolverine (aka Hugh Jackman),
Rihanna and Sachin Tendulkar.
madametussauds.com/london
London Zoo
The world’s oldest scientific zoo - it
opened its doors for the first time
in 1828 - London Zoo houses a
cornucopia of animals and reptiles,
all set against the backdrop of the
stunning Regent’s Park. There’s
London’s only living rainforest,
‘Penguin Beach’, a reptile house,
and Asian big cats. There’s a walkthrough monkey enclosure too
allowing a little face-to-face time
where - with no barrier between
man and simian - if you’re not
careful some cheeky critter might
make off with your sunnies.
zsl.org
Thames Boat Cruise
One of the best ways to take in the
sights is a guided tour, of which
there are many to choose, so take
to the water for a Thames-based
view of the city, plus you also get
a taste of the famously-dry British
sense of humour too from your
stiff-upper-lipped (maybe) tour
guide. Giving those feet a rest,
you’ll pick up a wealth of historical
facts and anecdotes about the
city’s early days, its grisly
beginnings and its development
through the ages. A stop off at the
Tower of London is a must too for
Beafeater-spotting and details of
that grisly history to boot.
tfl.gov.uk
London Parks

Iconic London: Big Ben

CHECK
IT OUT

It’s not all concrete and grey in
London, the city has an impressive
array of parks and green spaces to
kick back in with a beer and catch
some rays – when the sun does
decide to shine. Hyde Park, at one
end of Oxford Street, boasts a yearround roster of star-studded events
too, including the Olympics closing
ceremony concert. It also offers

CAMDEN TOWN
WHY GO THERE? Camden Town
is London’s hub of counter-culture
cool with clubs, pubs, shopping
and more spilling across its lock
and surrounds. Out-there styles
and attitude run the streets.
WHERE TO GO? Camden’s
various markets are a frenetic but
unmissable shopping experience.
For drinks the World’s End provides
a snapshot of Camden characters
and club Koko is a must-stop for
instant indie-cool credibility.
Camden High Street, NW1
camdenlock.net Camden

boating on its famous Serpentine
lake, which is home to the Solar
Shuttle, a sun-only-powered vessel
that glides across the water.
Battersea Park on the south of the
river offers boating and walks past
its eye-catching Pagoda and
Regent’s Park serves up greenspace escape in the north. Clapham
Common is the home of numerous
summertime concerts and events,
with nearby Richmond Park
››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

51

TOUCHINGDOWN
famed for its cycling routes and
viewing platform.
royalparks.org.uk
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a wonderful
example of where tradition meets
commerce. Steeped in history
and olde English pubs, it’s a fine
place to catch a pint and lap up
a rare moment of bustling city
atmosphere. Buskers and street
performers galore line the streets
risking life and limb through all
manner of performances for your
attention and money. It’s also a
shopping dream, with a dazzling
array of boutiques and designer
label stores to sate even the most
fashion-hungry diva out there.
coventgardenlondonuk.com
Markets
London has a diverse selection of
markets – one for all occasions and
needs. Spitalfields, replete with
a luxurious glass canopy, houses
stalls catering for fashion, interiors,

jewellery and art, and you can
relax with a glass of wine in Old
Spitalfields Market’s Victorian
setting and browse the designer
couture and antiques. Borough
is London’s most renowned food
market, with delights from all over
the world, and Brixton, in south
London, even boasts its own food
market, with recipe suggestions
and a cornucopia of street food.
boroughmarket.org.uk
spitalfields.co.uk/markets
Portobello Road
Strecthing from Queens Park in the
north to Notting Hill in the south,
Portobello Road is one of London’s
most de rigeur shopping
destinations. Its famed Saturday
market is a lesson in organised
chaos as antiques, vintage clothing
and assorted odds and ends make a
play for your purse. With street
food from around the world to
keep you hunting, Portobello has a
rugged charm to keep it grounded.
portobellomarket.org

follow us on

@tntmagazine

The London Bridge Experience
Teasing that it is the ‘scariest day
out’ the London Bridge Experience
takes you through a potted history
of the city’s grotty and ghastly
past, including the Great Fire of
London, as well as a tour through
the tombs that lie underneath the
world famous bridge landmark.
thelondonbridgeexperience.com.
London Aquarium
With more than 500 species
on show and some two million
litres of water, the SeaLife centre
on London’s South Bank is a
dazzling demonstration of what
lies beneath. With 14 themed
zones including 14 sharks from
12 different species, it’s not just
fish and plantlife from the British
Isles and surrounds on show but
from all over the world’s oceans.
visitsealife.com/London
Picadilly Circus
An iconic setting seen in a
thousand movies, Piccadilly
Circus will disappoint those
looking for some big top-themed
entertainment, but them alone.
With its glaring, futuristic wall
of neon signs for TDK, Sanyo and
Fosters, to the statue of Eros in its
centre, a popular meeting place
for those in town, it’s a London
locale you can’t afford to miss.
Take in the sights and watch in
wonder as life, in all its guises,
races past before your very eyes.
Trafalgar Square

Leicester Square in the West End
52

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Trafalgar Square was built in
honour of the British victory at
the Battle of Trafalgar in the
Napoleonic Wars. Nelson’s Column,
constructed in 1843, keeps solemn
watch over the city with four lions
on plinths keeping guard at the
base. Famous for its pigeons –
which once numbered 35,000 – the
square is now free of its feathery
population since bird seed was
banned in the early Noughties.

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN

No visit would be complete without a trip to Buckingham Palace
Tate Modern

Monet, Pablo Picasso and Andy
Warhol are
The most visited
displayed here.
modern art
QUIRKY LONDON
London has a host of weird
The Tate Modern’s
gallery in the
and wonderful charms.
turbine hall, which
world, that’s
SPEAKER’S CORNER in Hyde
previously housed
what Tate
Park is an outlet for opinion
the electricity
Modern is. But
and debate – an opportunity
generators of the
it wasn’t always
that is much needed in these
power station,
that way. A brave
politically-inclined times.
is a behemoth
decision to turn
AFTERNOON TEA at The Ritz
takes a very proper English
to behold. With
the previously
tradition
and
gives
it
a
expansion work
disused Bankside
luxurious spin, and FISH AND
developing
Power station in
CHIPS at Harrods is a must for
several unused
to an art gallery
those wanting to sample
sections, including
is one that
Britain’s other culinary export.
underground oil
was met with
tanks, slated for
suspicion and
completion by the 2012 Games,
pessimism on its announcement,
this British success story is set to
but it’s a move that has paid off
continue and no trip to the city
in spades. Housing modern and
would be complete without a visit.
contemporary art from 1900
onwards, artists such as Claude
tate.org.uk/modern

Guided Tours
Jump on a open-topped bus
– weather-permitting – for a spin
around the capital’s streets to
take in the sights and sounds and
get your bearings. For the more
energetic, there are oodles of
themed-walking tours to take in,
including a Jack The Ripper tour
along the east London streets
which this vicious serial killer
stalked in the 1800s.
East End & Shoreditch
Gentrification is leading the
charge in this up-and-coming
area of London. A hipster scene
predominates, taking in art,
music and fashion. Stop in at any
one of the area’s trendy bars or
ultra-cool nightspots to soak up
the vibes. ❚
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

53

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Making a scene
The birthplace of punk, the world’s finest comedians, West End shows that
tour the globe: London has it nailed when it comes to entertainment
London has a reputation as a bustling city of power,
passion and prestige, and accordingly there is no
shortage of options for your entertainment needs.
Whether it be live music, clubbing, theatre, comedy,
or eating out with a good bottle of red, there’s a
venue, night, and occasion for all.
When you’ve got your bearings, it’s time to pick
up a copy of TNT to find out what’s going on. In the
meantime, here’s our guide to the biggest, best and
most essential things to see, do and be a part of.
Main stage
London’s live music scene is the talk of the town
– and beyond. With a host of venues catering for
the small intimate gigs as well as the ground54

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

shaking arena epics, there’s accommodation for even
the planet’s biggest stars. The newly refurbished
Wembley Stadium is the natural stop for the world’s
biggest acts, with Muse, Metallica and Foo Fighters
having unleashed their live shows here in recent
years.
The nearby Wembley Arena is host to popular
telly shows such as the perennial X Factor, in addition
to comedians and bands – Flight of the Conchords
performed a sell-out show here not two years ago.
The O2 (theo2.co.uk) Arena, formerly ‘the
Dome’ has, in the space of five years, quickly
cemented itself as one of the world’s most popular
venues in the country.
An ‘intimate large venue’ if you will, it hosts a

TOUCHINGDOWN
Australia, New Zealand and South
Africa tour their shows over here.
Remember to check the pages
of TNT for listings. There’s nothing
like supporting homegrown talent
overseas, and a special, one-off
thrill can be found seeing bands
from home abroad.

As well as catering for the big
guns, there are all manner of
smaller scale venues across the city. Buying tickets
Most bands’ official websites have
The famous 100 Club (the100club.
links to booking, or reminders
co.uk) in Oxford Street is a small
when tickets go on sale. Sites such
venue that has seen the likes of
as Ticketweb or SeeTickets offer
the Sex Pistols and, more recently,
weekly newsletter letting you
Oasis, and was supported by none
know who’s playing when and
other than Paul McCartney when
where so you don‘t miss out.
threatened with closure. King’s
If you’ve missed the initial sale
Cross’ The Scala (scala-london.
then there are a number of sites
co.uk) is an intimate venue par
where you can buy or sell tickets
excellence, getting you up close
for gigs and shows too, such as
and personal with the performers,
seatwave.com and viagogo.com.
and north London’s Highbury
The price might be steep, but
Garage (venues.mean fiddler.
sometimes there’s no price on
com/the-garage) is a regular stop
seeing your favourite band.
for indie and rock’s finest.
Brixton Academy
Clubbing
(o2academybrixton.co.uk) is world
famous; the former theatre and
Electro, techno, house, trance,
cinema having been the setting
R&B, garage – whatever you’re
for live albums by the likes of
after, there’s sounds to suit with
Motorhead and Franz Ferdinand,
clubs ready to challenge even the
and a regular stop for alternative
most energetic of clubbers.
bands, pop acts as well as
Ministry of Sound in
comedians.
Southwark, south London
The rejuvenated Roundhouse
(ministryofsound.com), is one
in Camden (roundhouse.org.uk) is
of the clubbing scene’s mainstay
an arts and music venue steeped in attractions. With five rooms,
history, so too the Hammersmith
four bars, four dancefloors, and
Apollo (venues.
four DJ booths,
FESTIVAL SEASON
meanfiddler.
there is plenty to
The UK’s music scene comes
com/apollo/home)
keep you going to
alive in the summer. Reading
which is a fave for
the small hours.
(readingfestival.com) stars the
top-selling artists
Fabric in
biggest names in rock, and
and comedians alike
Farringdon
Download the heaviest names
and is host for the
(fabriclondon.
in metal (dowloadfestival.
co.uk). Bruce Springsteen
comedy show Live
com) is a top ten
headlines the Isle of Wight
At The Apollo.
regular in ‘Best
event (isleofwight festival.
Club in the World’
com), with Latitude
Familiar sounds
polls in the
(latitudefstival.co.uk) bringing
press, and
For those missing
a touch of class to the often
it lives up to
the sounds of
mud-covered festival-going
its billing. It
home, don’t worry
experience, and T In The Park
(tinthepark.com)taking things
has three rooms
as plenty of bands
north of the border.
including
and comedians from

CHECK
IT OUT

BFI IMAX
WHAT IS IT? The biggest cinema
screen in Britain – 20 metres high
and 26 metres wide – and the best
place for the ultimate moviewatching experience.
WHY GO THERE?
The IMAX format produces
a larger, more detailed image that’s
the perfect home for 3D movies.
It is how blockbuster cinema was
meant to be seen, just ask James
Cameron.
BFI IMAX

1 Charlie Chaplin Walk,

South Bank, Waterloo, SE1 8XR
Waterloo

bfi.org.uk

a ‘bodysonic’ dancefloor’ which
pulses bass through your feet.
Electric Brixton, formerly
The Fridge, is a new, young
upstart on the club scene and
well worth checking out. In the
summer, EGG near King’s Cross
(egglondon.net)and Dex Club
in Brixton (dexclub.co.uk) both
boast balcony terraces so you
can check out the tunes in
glorious sunshine.
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

››
55

Simply get yourself down to Gigalum Bar by
Clapham South tube station before 9pm Fridays
Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be given your free ticket at 11:30pm at Gigalum where discounted taxis will waiting to pick you up,
or the tube ride is only 20 minutes door-to-door. Tickets valid until 12:30am at Ministry Of Sound.

WHY NOT BOOK A TABLE OR AN AREA AT GIGALUM
AND SAMPLE THE DELICIOUS MENU?
www.gigalum.com - Tel: 020 8772 0303

like us on

TOUCHINGDOWN

facebook/tntmagazine

Clockwise: The Proms;
Rihanna at V Festival;
crowd at Glastonbury

Classical, opera & dance

BBC Proms

All tastes are catered for in
London, so if you fancy taking it
down a notch for some classical
accompaniment or perhaps
an outing for the opera, look
no further. Wigmore Hall, in
Marylebone (wigmore-hall.org.uk),
is one of the world’s top chamber
music halls, and boasts a fine
restaurant to boot.
The Barbican Centre (barbican.
org.uk), opened in 1982, has a
deceptive appearance. From the
outside it’s a concrete beast, but
the architecture disguises the polypurpose arts complex which hosts
exhibitions, theatre, dance and
performance.
The Royal Opera House (roh.
org.uk) is one the world’s foremost
venues for watching the fat lady
sing, and encourages those seeking
their debut opera experience.

This eight-week classical music
festival is world famous. Founded
more than a hundred years ago, it
consists of some 70 concerts held
in the Royal Albert Hall, as well
as a series of chamber concerts at
Cadogan Hall and Proms In The
Park events to coincide with the
final night.
The Last Night Of The Proms is
a sight to behold. Decked out with
Union Jacks as far as the eye can
see, it takes British national pride
to its zenith, with Land Of Hope
And Glory and Rule Britannia!
mainstays of the event.
Comedy
If there’s one thing the Brits have,
it’s a sense of humour – come on,
they’ve needed it – which is played
out through the city’s wealth of
comedy venues. Boasting living-

room-known names, up-andcoming talent and fresh faces,
there are laughs for all, and for
all tastes.
Jongleurs (jongleurs.com) is
a nation-wide branch of comedy
stores, which sells comedy as a
packaged night out, including
food and post-laughs music.
The Comedy Store (thecomedy
store.co.uk) is a long-serving club
that has been instrumental in the
growth of alternative comedy,
shepherding many young talents
to success.
Fat Tuesday at the Compass
(fattuesdaycomedy.co.uk) is a
smaller affair, but the laughs
just as big; Live at the Chapel
(liveatthechapel.co.uk) scores
points for its foul-mouthed
behaviour in a church, an unlikely
setting for an evening of comedy
that includes a tea-serving
››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

57

TOUCHINGDOWN
kiosk (very British) and live
to open at the end of the year.
music too; and the Soho Theatre
Then there are the more high(sohotheatre.com) is famed for
brow options with any number
its intimate
of new plays and
presentation of
performances
THE INSIDER’S TIPS
established acts.
opening on a
You can score free tickets to
There are a
weekly basis.
comedy gigs and more by
signing up to a free ticketing
wealth of free
It has also
sites for the recording of TV
comedy nights
become somewhat
and radio shows. Check the
too – the Selkirk
fashionable for big
schedules and apply in time,
in Tooting
name actors and
usually online, and you could
(theselkirk.
actresses – from the
be in the audience for a live
co.uk) and the
UK and the States
recording. With many
Comedy Cafe
– to take a spell
comedians fronting their own
shows (Russell Howard), and
(comedycafe.
treading the boards
loads of panel and music
co.uk) – where
in the limelight,
shows, a night of randomness
you might just
recent guests
awaits – you might get your
catch the stars of
to the London
face on TV, too.
tomorrow.
stage including
See tvrecordings.com
David Schwimmer,
Theatre
Christian Slater and
Ethan Hawke.
London’s West End has it all. There
The theatre experience is
are the mainstream musicals such
not complete without dinner
as the long-running We Will Rock
beforehand, an interval bevvie
You, Billy Elliot and Chicago, and
and then perhaps a follow up
Green Day’s American Idiot is set

Buy a bargain theatre ticket in the West End
58

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

follow us on

@tntmagazine

afterwards, you know, to discuss
the show you’ve just seen. A handy
place to check what’s rocking the
West End can be found at
theatreland.co.uk
Non-commercial theatre
For those seeking an injection
of the artistic, they need look
no further than London’s many
non-commercial theatres which,
frequently though government
funding, offer a diverse range
of productions and performances
where the emphasis is less on
the populist.
The Globe Theatre in Bankside
(shakespears-globe.org), the
National Theatre on the South
Bank (nationaltheatre.co.uk) as
well as the Old Vic in Southwark
(oldvictheatre.com) are some of
the venues worth checking out.
Cinema
For those more interested in the
silver screen, London has a plenty
of cinemas.
Leicester Square is the place
to go for the multiplexes (odeon.
co.uk; myvue.com) showing the
latest big releases.
The Picturehouse chain
(picturehouses.co.uk), which has
prized establishments in Clapham
and Brixton, skews more towards
independent releases, often
throwing in film quizzes and
themed seasons, with Curzon
(curzoncinemas.com) geared
towards arthouse and Euro fare.
The Prince Charles in Leicester
Square is a film fan’s fave with its
line up of retro and contemporary
cinema cool.
The BFI Southbank (bfi.org.
uk) houses three screens that
show a selection of mainstream,
independent and prestige films,
while often delving in to the
archives.
It is also home to the BFI
London Film Festival (bfi.org.uk/lff)
which runs in the autumn. ❚

TOUCHINGDOWN

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Arsenal: catch a match for
some entertaining footwork

A sporting capital
London is well-serviced for sport all year round, so make sure you get your
fill while here. It’s best to plan ahead, though, as tickets sell out quickly
WORDS TOM STURROCK

Whatever game you’re into, you’ll find it in London,
but throughout the year, there are a handful of main
events which attract the spotlight. Flick to the back
pages, choose a team or player to support and make
sure you’re in the stands when the action starts.

FOOTBALL
Given the saturation coverage, there’s no point trying
to avoid football, so embrace the national obsession.
Head to Wembley to watch England – be warned,
though, the swing from unrealistic optimism to wristslashing pessimism may cause whiplash. Failing that,
adopt one of London’s five Premier League teams.
ARSENAL
The Gunners pride themselves on playing snazzy,
60

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

entertaining football, but their fans have been
frustrated by their long-running trophy drought. Back
in the early years of this century, Arsenal were one of
the powerhouses, but it’s been slim pickings of late.
They’re based at Emirates Stadium. Tickets are hard
to come by. Call 0844 277 3625 or see arsenal.com.
CHELSEA
Roman Abramovich runs the club like he’s playing
Fantasy Football Manager, splashing the cash on
whichever players he fancies, and chopping and
changing coaches on a whim. Chelsea have had
a fair bit of success since Abramovich showed up
in 2003, but many find his plutocratic approach
unpalatable. Call 0870 300 2322 for tickets or check
out chelseafc.co.uk.

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TOUCHINGDOWN

saunter down
FULHAM
THE BOAT RACE
after work and
An underdog
Oxford and Cambridge
catch a few hours
side that is a
universities go head-to-head
of tennis before it
natural favourite
on the Thames in an annual
gets dark.
with antipodeans
boat race that has been going
due to the
since 1829. It all happens on
Saturday, April 7, the
ATP WORLD
inclusive nature
competition
kicking
off
at
2pm.
TOUR FINALS
of the club, ticket
Even if you don’t really care
The end-of-year
availability and
about who wins – it’s one
tournament pits
their location in
bunch of toffs against another
the best eight
an Aussie and Kiwi
– it’s a great day on the banks
players on the
heartland. Their
of the river, with much carousing
men’s tour against
home ground
to be done. Hurrah. Check in
with TNT Magazine near the
each other.
is the charming
time for the best spots.
Held at the O2
Craven Cottage,
SEE THEBOATRACE.ORG
in Greenwich
meaning the fans
in November,
are known as the
it’s a far cry from the sedate
Cottagers. Unfortunate. Call 0870
atmosphere of Wimbledon but
442 1234 or see fulhamfc.com.
gives Londoners a second bite
of the cherry to see some tennis
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
without waiting two weeks for the
For years, Spurs were derided for
pointy end of a tournament. See
their flakiness, but they’ve turned
barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com.
it around under Harry Redknapp
and they’re now in the mix for a
top-four spot. Their fans still have
RUGBY
a bit of a complex though, insisting
END OF YEAR TOURS
they deserve more respect than
The Springboks, All Blacks and
they’re afforded. Call 0844 499
5000 or see tottenhamhotspur.com. Wallabies generally tour the
northern hemisphere every
November, but if you can’t get to
QUEEN’S PARK RANGERS
Of the London clubs in the Premier Twickenham for the internationals,
there are other ways to get your
League, QPR are the newest
rugby fix.
addition, returning after winning
the title in the second tier. They’re
LONDON SEVENS
based in Shepherd’s Bush, west
The London leg of the IRB Sevens
London, making their matches
World Series is played over a
with Fulham and Chelsea local
weekend in May at Twickenham.
derbies, in which passions can
run high. Call 08444 777 007 or see Fancy dress is encouraged, so put
on your thinking cap and get
qpr.co.uk.
colourful. There was a time when
sevens was a bit of a lark, but
TENNIS
with it now an Olympic sport and
players increasingly graduating
WIMBLEDON
The tournament at the All England to the 15-a-side sides, it’s a great
chance to see attacking rugby and
club begins on June 25 and runs
some of the stars of the future.
for two weeks. If you can’t get
Check rfu.com.
tickets to centre court, it’s still
worth cruising around the grounds
AVIVA PREMIERSHIP
and lying on the grass sipping
The Premiership season runs
Pimm’s. You can queue overnight
from September to May, and
or show up early. Alternatively,

CHECK
IT OUT

LORD’S
Attending a Test match at Lord’s
is one of the most pleasurable
experiences any sports fan can
have in London. The high-point of
the English cricketing summer will
be the series against South Africa,
with the third and final Test to be
played at Lord’s from mid-August.
Australia will also play a ODI there
on June 29 and another at The Oval
on July 1, while the West Indies
will be the curtain-raiser to it all,
playing a Test at Lord’s in May.
St John’s Wood Rd, NW8 8QN
lords.org St John’s Wood

the European competition,
the Heineken Cup, is played
concurrently. London is home
to four sides, London Wasps,
London Irish, Harlequins and
Saracens. Wasps have traditionally
been the strongest, winning
the Premiership four times since
2002. That’s changed in recent
times, with Saracens the reigning
champions and Quins beginning
the current season strongly. See
premiershiprugby.com.
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

61

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Bright lights: London presents plenty of opportunity

Enter the market
You’re in the UK to have fun and travel, so you’ll need to find a way to fund
your overseas adventure. Find a job and everything else will fall into place
So you’ve landed in the UK. You didn’t think you’d
be putting your feet up just yet, did you? Now you
are here there is travel, entertainment and the odd
boozy night out to pay for. You’ve got to get
yourself a job. We tell you how.

and Australians can work in Britain for two years
on the Youth Mobility Visa.
You’ll also find a selection of short-term contract
and temporary work opportunities, if you know
where to look, which is where TNT comes in.

The job market

Recruitment agencies

The difficult state of the UK and European economy
is well documented, however, that doesn’t mean
there are no jobs – there are always skills shortages
to plug. Armed with a well-composed CV and loads
of enthusiasm, you should be able to find work
before long.
Helpfully, antipodeans and South Africans are
looked on favourably by employers who appreciate
their can-do attitude and work ethic. New Zealanders

Many new arrivals head straight to recruitment
agencies to help them find work. Whether you join
them will depend on a few things, such as: how much
flexibility you’d like (do you want a permanent job or
short-term contract?); how much confidence you have
in your ability to find work; and what you’d like to
do while you’re here. Some industries rely on agency
recruitment more than others.
Finding work through an agency is effectively

62

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

GETTINGWORK

facebook/tntmagazine

HOW TO WRITE A CV THAT STANDS OUT
• Keep it brief: Don’t bore the reader with details of your

needlepoint prizes or ukulele talent.
• Keep it neat: Don’t bother with a fancy layout; it should be
easy for agencies and employers to find what they need.
• Back it up: Always include two references.
• Keep it clear: When listing your qualifications, include the
UK and/or Irish equivalent if applicable.
• Ensure dates link up: If you were out of work or travelling,
include it.
• Boast about it: Under your most significant jobs, write in
detail about your achievements.

a three-stage process:
• You contact an agency and
arrange to submit your CV.
• The agency calls you in for an
interview, and may also test you
on your skills.
• The agency matches you to
a job that suits your skills and
experience.
The key is to be persistent.
While many recruitment agencies
are efficient, others you are
unlikely to hear from again after
your interview. Don’t take it
personally, and bear in mind in the
current market, agencies are being
flooded with candidates.
It’s worth signing up to several
companies to boost your chances,
and don’t be afraid to phone them
regularly if they’ve not found you
anything. A little reminder often
goes a long way.

Times and the Irish Independent.
Of course, don’t forget to check
TNT Magazine each Monday for
jobs or see tntjobs.co.uk.

may even get a heads-up about
an upcoming position. Social
media is a powerful tool. Follow
your favourite organisations
on Twitter and
Network
NUMBER CRUNCHING
Facebook, and
Basic tax rate: 20 per cent on
also connect
Never underannual earnings above the PAYE
with people
estimate the
tax threshold and up to £35,000
on LinkedIn.
power of word
Higher tax rate: 40 per cent on
Don’t feel
of mouth. Talk
annual earnings from £35,001
awkward about
to as many people
to £150,000
getting in
as possible.
Additional tax rate: 50 per cent
touch with old
Even when
on annual earnings above £150,000 connections, you
you’re down
National minimum wage: £6.08
never know when
the pub, drop
for 20 and above
they might come
into conversation
National Insurance: 12 per cent
in handy.
that you’re
of your weekly wage if between
The axiom
looking for work.
£139 and £817; two per cent on
it’s not what you
Other Southern
a weekly wage if more than £817
know, but who you
Hemisphere
know, rings loud.
arrivals are usually
Some firms offer incentives to their
only too happy to share their
employees if they refer new staff, ››
experiences and advice, and you

Going it alone
However, you don’t have to rely
on agencies to find a job.
Those of specialist professions
should check publications of the
member organisations; we’ve
mentioned a few of them in the
relevant careers sections in this
guide. Also, many national and
local papers also carry job adverts.
Among them are the Guardian,
The Times and The Independent;
in London, the Standard; in
Scotland, the Daily Record and The
Scotsman; and in Ireland, the Irish

Be proactive ... and avoid ending up in the queue
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

63

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

so there could be something in it for both of you.
Consider joining associations or networking groups
as these can give you useful contacts as well as a bit
of inside information on available jobs.
If you’ve got your heart set on a particular firm,
you can always offer to do work experience, or
work shadow someone for a few weeks and use the
opportunity to shine.
Tax structures

company and limited company. The IR35 is a piece
of tax legislation, which helps distinguish between
people disguised as self-employed (to avoid paying
tax) and those who are employed.
But before you make your decision, make sure you
take into account the following criteria:
• Flexibility of your payment options.
• Earning level.
• Average hours/days of work.
• The type of work and manner in which
you work.
• How much responsibility you want to
undertake.
• Your financial astuteness.
Ask for work
advice over beers
So which of these structure will work for
you in London?

Tax! We hear you groan, but don’t
worry. It is a necessary evil. Once
you’ve snatched a job, you’ll want
to maximise your earnings and
reduce your tax bills. If you end
up with contract work, like many
antipodeans and South Africans
do, it’s even easier with the help of tax efficient
structures.
“The best start for any individual would be to
find a solution to maximise their money, by making
the right financial decisions, based on their unique
situations,” John Dunn, tax and shipping manager
at 1st Contact, says.
There are two major tax structures: umbrella

TOP TIP

Starting up: your local job centre will advertise vacancies
64

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Umbrella company
If you don’t want to get muddled up with paperwork,
an umbrella company is the best structure.
Dunn says: “An umbrella company acts as an
employer for UK-based contractors/temporary
workers. It represents a hassle-free way to maximise
your earnings as a contractor, and is used as an
alternative to a limited company.” As an employee,

like us on

GETTINGWORK

facebook/tntmagazine

Talking tax: seek help if it’s all a bit confusing

you will only have to report your
hours and work expenses each
week. Easy!
Positives
• Low involvement.
• Fees are taken per invoice and
there are no set-up or closure fees.
• Beneficial for individuals earning
less than £20 per hour.
• Responsible for all backoffice administration, such as
invoicing and payroll, so agencies/
contractors can earn higher
premium or “company” rates.
Negatives
• The tax benefits are not as good
as those for a limited company.
• Reduced control – as an
employee, you have little flexibility
and cannot custom-fit your
solution.
Limited company
The limited company is suited to

self-employed contractors who
are ready to take on a bit more
administration work.
“A limited company is a clever
way of starting up as a contractor
or new business with minimal risk,
affording you the advantages of
ownership along with certain tax
benefits,” Dunn says.
Positives
• Lower tax – profits for small
companies are taxed at a flat
rate of 21 per cent (compared to
the top rate of 50 per cent for
employees).
• You pay yourself from a business
bank account in a mix of dividends,
salary and expenses, according to
your personal requirements. An
accountant can advise what is best.
• Ideal for those who wish to
maximise their tax efficiency and
are earning more than £20 per
hour or £40,000 per year.

• Dividends do not attract National
Insurance and you only pay
personal tax on any dividends
drawn over and above the upper
tax threshold.
• You can register for VAT/FRV.
• Pensions are tax deductible.
Negatives
• There is medium to high
involvement as you are a director
of your own company. The onus is
on you to adhere to all company
rules, and there is therefore a high
degree of responsibility.
• The fees involved include
occasional set-up fees, accounting
fees and Companies House (the
UK government register of
companies; see companieshouse.
gov.uk) fees
• You will need to be familiar
with the IR35 legislation and be
compliant.
See 1stcontact.com ❚
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

65

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Show off your talents and your role could
end up being offered a full-time position

Temporary options
There’s something enticing about keeping your options open, and temping
lets you do just that. Find out all about non-permanent work in the UK
WORDS CLARE VOOGHT

If keeping yourself free to hop to the next
opportunity, or country, appeals to you, then
temping is a good way to make sure you’re not tied
down. And, despite the recession, the market for
temporary work is still healthy.
With dark times and lay-offs, companies have
realised they need to hire people to fill in the gaps.
And as long as staff have holiday rights, go on
maternity leave and take time off sick or companies
get more work than their staff can cope with, temps
will be a valuable resource.
Temporary staff can help companies survive
tough times as they save on overheads and costs
of full-time staff. They also help if staff don’t have
certain expertise to finish a project. But as well as
keeping you free, temping can also be a way into
66

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

a more permanent role – many companies like to
assess potential candidates for jobs before they hire
them full time, and hiring temps can be a good way
for them to do this.
Temporary work can last for any length of time
– from a day to a month or even longer. Hours can be
part- or full-time.
The advantages of temping
Rather than jumping on a staff job that might not
be right for you, temping lets you try out a host of
different roles to see what they’re really like when
you’re in them. And if you make yourself indispensable
within a company you like, it’s a great way to get your
foot in the door. You’ll also be keeping up skills you
have, while getting the opportunity to learn more as

like us on

GETTINGWORK

facebook/tntmagazine

you work at different places with
different people.
Usually wages are paid at an
hourly rate and on a weekly basis,
so you don’t have to wait a whole
month to get paid.
Where are the jobs?
Many sectors need temporary
workers, but the biggest demand
remains in accountancy, education
and healthcare. And there are
lots of agencies covering these
areas. Reed’s Tempzone (reed.
co.uk/tempzone) has thousands
of temporary positions in cities
throughout the UK.
What’s the pay like?
It vastly depends on what skills you
have and what type of job you’re
doing. Hourly rates range from
minimum wage (£6.08 per hour for
workers aged 21 or over) to around
£25 an hour for skilled workers
in fields such as accountancy or
engineering.
Will I have to forfeit my perks?
You don’t have to just suck it up
when you’re not well or forfeit
pay while you’re on holiday.
Temps are still entitled to
annual leave, which is based on
the hours worked, and there are
conditional entitlements to sick pay

– make sure you ask your agency
about this.
Paying your dues
You still can’t escape tax as a
part-time or casual temporary
worker – everyone has to pay
income tax and National Insurance
contributions on anything earned
above £7,475 a year.
This applies to those who are
employed or self-employed. But tax
paid up to that allowance can be
claimed back at the end of the tax
year if money has been deducted.
If you’re employed on a casual,
temporary or part-time basis, by
law your employer must:
• Deduct tax and National
Insurance contributions from your
wages
• Give you payslips
• Give you a P45 form when you
leave
• Give you a P60 tax summary at
the end of each tax year if you still
work for the employer
If you’re working two part-time
jobs, you’ll be given a different tax
code, which takes this into account.
You’ll still get the same tax
allowance as everyone else, which
will come from your main job.
Your other job or jobs will be
taxed at a basic or higher rate,
depending on your total income.

TOP TIPS

FOR SUCCESS
You still need to impress in
the temping world, so stay on
top of the game to get ahead.

• Be punctual. If you are held

up or unable to get to work,
contact your recruitment
adviser as soon as possible
so they can alert the client or
arrange any necessary cover.

internet, email, faxes and
photocopying facilities are
generally not for your own
personal use.

• If you need to work overtime
or through the lunch period,
clear it with your employer.

• Be aware of an employer’s

Get ahead as a temp

health and safety policy, and
at the end of an assignment
leave handover notes and
return your security pass.

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

67

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

City life: join the hoards
of commuters working
in the finance sector

Finance matters
The City is the hub of the financial sector in the UK – here, you’ll find
wheelers, dealers and money-spinners of every kind. Here’s how to get noticed
London is a financial haven – despite the UK’s
uncertain economy. While the UK banking sector
still rests on shaky ground, there will always be
a demand for fresh talent. Positions for part- and
newly qualified accountants, Certified Public
Accountant and temp roles are available.
Increasing market
Good candidates with niche experience are getting
multiple offers, according to Tom Kennedy, director
of Interim and Contract Recruitment at London’s
Cameron Kennedy financial recruitment.
“The prospects are good for candidates who have
something to offer, for example qualified accountants
with extensive IFRS (International Financial Reporting
Standards) experience, or investment banking product
knowledge. Risk specialists should find opportunities
relatively easy to come by as well,” Kennedy says.
Though the market has been turbulent, the
outlook is still positive. “The lay-offs have been well
68

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

publicised, but the general perception at the moment
is that though many are staying put people will listen
to good opportunities; there is significant movement
in certain sectors, such as Insurance,” he adds.
Indeed, the good opportunities do come around,
and this in turn is creating more confidence in
recruiting and job hunting, with increased hiring
across all sectors, from banks to commerce.
Who is hiring?
If you’re talented and have experience, take a leap
and apply to work big, private firms.
“The public sector is not really hiring, but the
financial services business sector, and a lot of the
larger accounting and firms, are quite to keen to
bring on as much talent as they can,” Kennedy says.
“Our clients continue to rely on flexible staffing,
that is temps and contractors. Relevant experience
and proven ability should guarantee consistent
employment.” Banks and commercial markets

like us on

GETTINGWORK

facebook/tntmagazine

often hire temps, but timing is
important. They will recruit as
the financial year comes to a
close near March and April. Tax
accountants can find temporary
work in the run-up to the deadline
for personal tax returns in January.
Getting a job
So the time may be right, but how
do you make sure you stand out
from the crowd. The key is having
a good CV.
“Agencies receive hundreds
of CVs daily through job boards,
many of which may not be
relevant, so make it clear what
your key skills are,” Kenney says.
It’s also crucial to include key
words in your online CV, such as
IT systems, product specialisms or
regulatory/risk skills, as agencies
regularly do database searches.
Also have all your references to

hand. Additionally, it’s imperative
to highlight your qualifications,
especially any with the Institute of
Chartered Accountants, Chartered
Institute of Management
Accountants or Associated Charter
of Certified Accountants, or
overseas equivalent.
Don’t sell your experience
short. Highlight it in roles such
as project accountant, payroll
supervisor or internal auditor.
Expected pay rates
Junior level, part-qualified
accountants can expect £30,000 a
year or £120 a day contract work;
newly qualified accountants can
earn £45,000 a year or £250 day;
higher-end accountants make
£350 a day; payroll assistants earn
£23,000 a year or £18p/h; payroll
supervisors make £27,000 a year.
See cameronkennedy.com

TOP TIPS
• Make sure you add context

to your CV. Highlight the
primary clients that you have
been working with – the size
and type of the businesses
and, if they are well known,
include the name.

• Highlight any practical work.
• Stay flexible in terms of

salary and position. Don’t
accept something you don’t
want but keep an open mind.

• Tap into your network, you
might be surprised at the
results.

• Before you even leave

home, send over CVs and
let possible employers know
when you will be here and
what you’re looking for.

There is a high demand for newly qualified and experienced accountants in Scotland’s capital city.
Quality opportunities exist in temporary, contract and permanent markets. They include challenging roles within
international organisations and high-profile positions in medium and smaller, expanding companies. Roles are
broad-ranging and include financial and management reporting, financial and business analysts, decision support,
business partners and risk professionals. If you are a qualified finance professional and interested in discussing a move
to Edinburgh please contact us. For those new to the area we will endeavour to assist you with any relocation queries.

Kick-start your UK
Teaching Career –
Join GSL Education!
GSL Education is a Quality Mark Teaching
Agency with numerous Primary and
Secondary Client Schools in London.
We offer daily, long-term and permanent
contracts to Local and Overseas Qualified
Primary and Secondary Teachers at high
rates of pay. With years of experience
placing candidates and strong links
with schools, we are ready to find work
matching your needs.
If you are seeking teaching work
– contact us!
Email your CV to:
claire@gsleducation.com
or contact us on:
+44 (0)207 739 2211.
London’s multicultural schools welcome foreign teachers

We look forward to hearing from you!

Teach it well
London always has jobs for teachers up for grabs, whether you’re after
a full-time position or something a little more temporary WORDS CLARE VOOGHT
Teaching is a great way to make a living (providing
you like kids) as it has so many benefits. Doing
the job in London lets you try a different education
system and you get to experience other schools
and learning environments. And no teacher has
ever complained about the holidays!

As it’s so multicultural and densely populated in
London, and because there are so many different
kinds of schools, it shouldn’t be too difficult for
people moving from Australia, New Zealand and
South Africa to find work if they’ve got the right
qualifications and fit the role.

The market

Qualifications

Teaching has definitely been hit by the recession, and
schools have been tightening their budgets. They
are making sure they get value for money when
they’re hiring, so the recruitment process is tough.
But Richard Knell, manager at Hays Education
recruiters, says despite that: “Teachers from overseas
still remain an attractive option for schools when
they are recruiting, providing they can be flexible and
adapt to the UK curriculum.”

You’ll be eligible to teach in the UK as long as you
have a recognised teaching qualification from home.
Overseas Trained Teachers (OTTs) need to register
with a central governing body, which is called the
General Teaching Council (GTC).
The GTC costs £36.50 to join, but all you need to
do is fill in a form when you register with an agency.
As an OTT, you’re allowed to teach in the UK for
a maximum of four years before you’ll need to have

70

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

GETTINGWORK

facebook/tntmagazine

obtained Qualified Teacher Status
(QTS). If you have no relevant
qualifications, schools do employ
cover supervisors to watch over
a class when teachers are away.
It’s a good way to get a taster of
the teaching business.

Supply or long-term

Short-term positions, like sickness
or maternity cover, are the easiest
to get right now. But these can
lead to full-time permanent roles.
It comes down to personal
choice. If you’d like the chance to
take short trips and don’t want to
What employers are looking for be tied down, supply teaching is
probably for you.
In the current climate, they’re
But if you’d rather work fulllooking for people who can cope
time and earn quickly to fund
under pressure and still raise
trips during the holidays, take a
standards of teaching.
permanent role.
Things have
been toughening
SALARY In central London you
Finding work
up for anyone
can be earning from £27,000 and
There are plenty
trying to get
in the rest of England and Wales
of specialist
jobs in teaching
salaries begin at around £21,500.
recruitment
because schools
Supply teacher rates vary but they
firm, like Teach
are looking for
can earn around £100-£125 a day.
Anywhere
teachers who are
TRAINING You’ll need
(teachanywhere.
value for money
a qualification that’s recognised
com), which
as well as “best
in the UK, like a Batchelors or
specialise in
fit”, says Rob
Masters in Education.
worldwide teacher
Harvey, director of
LOCATION Across London and
recruitment.
recruitment firm
the rest of the UK.
Jobs are
Engage Education.
PACKAGE Tons more holiday
advertised on sites
To stand out,
than anyone else. Roll on lie-ins.
like goteach.co.uk
employers want
and eteach.com.
to know you’ve got a good work
Events like Engage Education’s
ethic, patience, flexibility as well
iday (iday.co.uk) where people on
as strong behaviour management
the company’s books looking for
skills, good knowledge of the UK
jobs can turn up and meet heads
curriculum and the ability to build
who are hiring. Plus travel costs,
relationships fast and the knack to
including airfares, are paid for.
inspire and engage young people.

Teaching in London can be rewarding

TIPS FOR

SUCCESS
Richard Knell, manager at
recruiter Hays Education,
gives his tips on getting
ahead in teaching in the UK.

• Don’t join too many

agencies when you arrive.
Being clear about where
you want to be long-term,
and investing time to build
a relationship with your
recruiter will really help.
• Ensure your CV is up to
date with previous teaching
experience and be sure it
shows how the experience
you have overseas
corresponds to the UK.
• Move over with a full
written reference from
a previous employer or
teaching placement.
• Make sure you do some
research before joining
agencies and establish the
location of the schools each
agency works with (you
don’t want to be travelling
hours each way to schools in
the middle of nowhere).
• It’s essential to do some
research on the UK
curriculum and have some
lesson plans prepared before
working as a supply teacher.
• Don’t let a bad day get
you down – the schools in
London vary so much that
you are bound to have some,
but stay positive.
• Make every effort to go out
of your way to impress your
employers when working
in schools as they like
continuity and will ask for
you back in person if you get
off on the right foot.
• Try to network with as many
fellow overseas teachers as
possible – there is a large
community who all spend
a lot of time together. This
is a great way overcome the
differences of teaching in
the UK quickly.
See hays.co.uk/education

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

71

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Doctor,
doctor
Working in the medical profession is
a commendable duty. Here’s how to
land a job
Scrubs? Check. Stethoscope? Check. Pesky
paperwork? Check. Health workers can look
forward to a fulfilling career in the UK. You’ve
just got to go through all the formalities first.
The market
The demand for health workers in the UK is constant.
There is a need for skilled and qualified workers,
ranging from GPs and nurses to allied health
professionals, including radiologists, dermatologists,
opthalmologists, and everything in between.
And the good news is antipodeans and Saffas are
favoured. Warren Roach, a recruitment consultant at
Merco Medical Recruitment in London, says: “British
employers love the work ethic and professionalism of
people from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa,
it’s just unfortunate changes to the Tier 2 Visa means
fewer are able to come over – unless their specialty
comes under the skills shortage list.
“However, if you are already here on a working
holiday visa, and don’t want to go home when it
runs out, your chances of sponsorship are high, and
UK experience is highly favoured across the world,
especially in emerging countries.”
While here, you could also train in a new specialty,
such as neonatal intensive care, or paediatric care,
which will make you more employable.

English test. It can take between one to six months
before you start practicing as a fully registered nurse
or doctor if you don’t have all the required papers, so
it’s wise to start the process before you’ve left home.
“Most of the process can be done online, but
the GMC does sometimes request doctors make an
appointment with the,” Roach says.

Credentials, registration, documentation

How to find a job

You must be registered in your country of origin as
well as in the UK before you can start work. Bring
with you original documentation that proves who
you are and your qualifications. This includes degree
papers, such as your academic transcript, proof of
specialised training, registration certificate, birth and
marriage certificates, criminal reference check, your
passport, employment history and references.
Nurses can then apply with the Nursing and
Midwifery Council online (nmc-uk.org) and doctors
at the General Medical Council (gmc-uk.org). Even if
it is your first language, you will also need to do an

Survive the paperwork stage and you’re ready to go
on the hunt. The best way to find work is to register
with an agency. You’ll find plenty of listings in the
private and public sector, plus support, as you plod
through your job search. If you want to work for the
NHS, see their website, nhsjobs.com.
As well as gaining valuable experience in a major
world city, the incentives are financial. A locum doctor
can earn around £80 an hour and a nurse with around
two years’ experience, upwards of £15. They are some
healthy figures – which might mean you’re able to
save as you work. See merco.co.uk

72

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Put the UK to good health

Nurses and Carers

Urgently Required!
Salary in excess of ÂŁ1000* per week
Strand Nurses Bureau are currently recruiting Registered Nurses and highly
skilled Healthcare Assistants, experienced in the management of complex care
packages, to meet the increasing needs of our UK based clients.
With positions available in care homes, discerning private clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; own homes
and hospital settings (including NHS and prestigious private hospitals), we
offer flexible hours and excellent rates of pay.
We are particularly keen to hear from postgraduate ITU trained Nurses,
A&E Nurses and Paediatric Nurses/Carers.
Strand Nurses Bureau has a valued reputation for delivering a premier service
by employing only the highest quality of nursing and care staff. If you believe
you have the required clinical and social skills to become part of our outgoing
team please contact us today.

LIVE-IN CARERS LOOK!
EARN £5320 IN 8 WEEKS!
Lots of live-in and daily jobs available!!
Top rates of pay & immediate start possible
Try us first as we’ll really look after YOU as
well as helping you look after our clients!!

+ WEEKEND CARERS
URGENTLY NEEDED NOW!
LONDON JOBS ALWAYS AVAILABLE!

care à la carte
020 8202 1030

Spend your days hanging out with kids as a nanny

Rated Excellent

“your passport to really
rewarding work”

The care industry
Working as a nanny or carer can be both fulfilling and a great way to pay
your way when you arrive in the UK Words clare vooght
For anyone who likes helping other people, nannying
or working as a carer could be an ideal choice of job
when arriving in the UK. There are lots of wealthy
families with working parents who are in need of
someone to look after their kids, and many elderly
or disabled people in need of round-the-clock care.
It’s also something you can do anywhere in the
country and a skill you can take with you anywhere
in the world.
Caring opportunities
your options
Caring can be an incredibly rewarding career and there
are plenty of jobs to suit you in terms of felixble hours,
the types of people you work with and where in the
country you go to work.
74

tntMagazine.com

The positions you can opt to work in are:
• Residential care worker – offers support to people
in their homes on a longer-term basis.
• Personal assistant – working in someone’s home on
a one-to-one basis.
• Community work – caring for people in a specific
community and building personal relationships with
families, youths or adults.
• Home care worker – giving daily practical support to
people in their homes, like cooking meals or cleaning.
There are also several different fields in each of
these categories, including:
• People with disabilities
• People who use mental health services
• The elderly
• Children

Live-in Care Jobs

Supporting people with
disabilities to lead an active life
WE OFFER:
â&#x2014;?

Up to ÂŁ507 PER WEEK plus paid holiday
FREE food & accommodation when working

Great Jobs
for Great Candidates!
CALL US NOW TO REGISTER
AND GET WORKING!

Come and talk to our friendly consultants and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get
you out working! Julia Ross is a London / Dublin based,
Australian-owned recruitment agency specialising in
a wide range of temporary, permanent and contract
office support roles, including:

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED?
have a criminal records check. For
No care experience is needed
any time spent in the UK, a CRB
to become a carer, says
(Criminal Records Bureau) check
Melanie Geldard, recruitment
is what you need. You’ll also need
communications
to be cleared
manager from
from your home
CARING
Helping Hands care
country. See
service. “But it does SALARY Live in carers can earn
homeoffice.gov.
take a certain type
uk/agencies-publicaround £400-£500 per week and
of person to make
bodies/crb for
carers in the community can get
a great carer.
more information.
up to £9.10 per hour.
“Being
Criminal record
TRAINING No prior training
compassionate,
checks will take
needed – it’s provided by care
caring and patient
time so get this
companies when you start.
are three important LOCATION Anywhere.
done early.
personality traits.
HOURS Shifts can be at any time
Together with
UP YOUR
of day or night, and live-in carers
empathy, integrity
CHANCES
provide round-the-clock care at
and resilience.
If finding work
times.
They have to be
is tricky at first,
PACKAGE Live-in carers have
diligent, adaptable
volunteer in the
their accommodation and often
and reliable with
social care field
food provided.
a positive outlook
if you can. This
and proactive
can help you
attitude. Being chatty helps and
get experience and you never
being a good listener is a necessity.” know, it might lead to a job.
Care companies such as Active
Look on the Community Service
Assistance (activeassistance.
Volunteers job board (csv.org.
com) and Origin Care (origincare.
uk/volunteering) or search through
com), which both offer support
the national database of volunteer
to people with spinal injuries,
opportunities in the UK for more
give carers all the
(do-it.org.uk).
necessary training
NANNYING
Nannying
from scratch. As
opportunities
do others such as
SALARY Nannies can earn
Helping Hands
YOUR OPTIONS
£250-£350 a week if they live in
(hhjobs.co.uk),
To avoid the
or £400 if they live out, depending
which specialises
hassle of finding
on experience. Live
in care for elderly
a decent family to
out nannies get an hourly rate.
people.
work for, it’s best
TRAINING A qualification in
Live-in care
to sign up with
childcare, education or nannying
companies such
a nanny agency.
would help but isn’t necessary.
as Helping Hands
They can
LOCATION Anywhere.
(hhjobs.co.uk)
negotiate on
HOURS Full-time, live-in nannies
and Christies Care
pay, holiday and
often work around 10 hours a day.
(christiescare.com)
hours for you, says
PACKAGE Live-in nannies have
provide training on
Laura Becker from
their accommodation and food
areas like nutrition,
The Baby Works
provided.
medication and
nanny agency
disability awareness so carers are
(thebabyworks online.co.uk), so it’s
fully equipped for their first day on
well worth joining one.
the new job.
The main types of nannying job are:
Carers working with children
• Live-in nannying
or vulnerable adults will need to
• Live-out nannying

Caring: it’s a rewarding job
• After school nannies
• Holiday nannies – these look after
the children when they are on
school holidays.
• Ad hoc nannies – they look after
children as and when they are
needed, like when parents are on
a business trip. They can be called
out at the last minute.
• Proxy parenting – a nanny takes
24-hour responsibility for a child
while their parents aren’t around.
WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED?
You don’t need formal training
to be a nanny but people with
a diploma in childcare, a nannying
certificate, degree in education or
experience working with children
are favoured.
As with caring, police checks
are needed, along with good
references. You might also need
a clean driving licence and a first
aid certificate is desirabe too.
Nannies working in Ireland will
need Garda clearance.
UP YOUR CHANCES
The best time to look for work is
in the summer, because the kids are
out of school, or after Christmas as
people wait until then to quit or
change jobs.
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

77

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Smile: a professional and cheery character is highly desirable

A personal touch
Here, we give you the lowdown about working in office administration
If you think working in an admin job would be dull,
think again. The possibilities of freedom, flexibility
and variety are as expansive as the options for
positions. Office support roles allow you to explore
a whole variety of sectors.
What’s available?
The good news for job-seekers is the demand for
office workers barely ceases. Rebecca Siciliano, who
heads the temporary division at Tiger Recruitment in
London, says: “We most regularly receive requests for
receptionists, team administrators, personal assistants
and general office administration staff.”
Property, asset management and finance team
secretaries are also in demand. The field can be
competitive, but as long as your computer skills are
78

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

in tip-top shape, a job can be straightforward to find.
“Proven experience in secretarial roles including PA
and reception positions is essential, as is having core
skills such as a good typing speed, a solid grasp of
MS Office packages and the ability to pick up new
systems quickly, flexibility and confidence,” she says.
Finally, this is an industry where appearance
is important, so don respectable, corporate wear.
Skills needed
London is brimming with jet-setting bosses, which
means travel coordination and diary management
are two sought-after skills in applicants.
In addition, audio transcription skills are still in
demand. Companies will also expect you to be able to
type a minimum of 45-plus words per minute. If your

On the ball: organisation is a must
skills aren’t up to scratch, take
an online course to improve speed
and proficiency in programs such
as Excel or PowerPoint.
How to find work
Signing up with a recruitment
agency is probably your best bet.
But the field is competitive, so you
should also be proactive and make
TEMPORARY VS PERMANENT
Temping: Admin work is often
temporary, so a great option for keen
travellers who fancy making jaunts in
between jobs – and avoiding hiked-up
weekend airfares. Recruiter Rebecca
Siciliano adds: “It can be a good way
to find out about different types
of businesses and industries, and
exposure to an area that you hadn’t
previously considered.”

sure you take time to search for
jobs on your own.
Use online resources as well.
Websites such as LinkedIn and
even Twitter post jobs that you
might not find otherwise.
If you pick up temporary
work, maximise the opportunity
for networking. You’re in a great
position to make contacts.
See tiger-recruitment.
co.uk; secretariesplus.co.uk,
rosshumandirections.com

Going permanent: Becoming a part
of the office furniture as a permanent
is great for stability and to ensure there’s
a steady stream of income. Temporary
roles can, and quite often do lead to
permanent placements.
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

79

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Smile and serve:
waiting is a tasty job

Dishing up
the goods
You want to come to London to explore and meet people, right? Working in
hospitality is not only flexible, but is one of the most social jobs you’ll find
There are many Australians, Kiwis and South Africans
who work in bars, pubs and restaurants, if not just
short-term for a bit of extra income, then for the
whole duration of their stay. Not only does the
hospitality industry suit travellers seeking casual
work, it also attracts hard workers who enjoy being
around enthusiastic people.
Finding a job
This industry is something of an anomaly because,
unlike most jobs, you’re unlikely to find the majority
of vacancies online (see tntjobs.co.uk). However,
there’s no substitute for walking into a bar or eatery,
80

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

introducing yourself and asking if they have any
work. That’s what Vana Unn, from Sydney, did.
“I live down the road from a bar so had often
walked past it and thought it looked pretty cool,”
says the 23-year-old, who works at The Living Room
in central London. “One day, I had been for a haircut
and colour, so I was feeling really confident. I decided
to just walk in there and ask for a job. I had an
interview straight away and got the position.”
When job-hunting, also try cold-calling catering
firms, especially ahead of big events, such as the
summer race season, and expect to find plenty of
short-term jobs in the run-up to Christmas.
››

CHEF DE PARTIES AND ABOVE REQUIRED FOR ONGOING
CASUAL WORK FOR THE SPRING/SUMMER AND BEYOND
Chefs Needed for Music Tours and Music Festivals VIP Stadium Backstage Catering / Event Caterers / 4-5 Star Hotels / Restaurants

ALSO RECRUITING FOR THE LONDON OLYMPICS 2012
AND THE 2012 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SEASON
Work as much or as little as you want; for as long as you want to!
Weekly / Monthly / Daily basis
Predominately Monday to Friday 8am-6pm,
with functions 2-3 times a week, evenings or weekends

Work in stadiums, music festivals, palaces, private homes and
historic buildings in and around London.
Also recruiting for the Olympics and major cricket grounds.
Create buffet, canapé receptions and lavish banquets for a large range of clients
- from awards ceremonies to film premieres to Royal receptions
£9 - £15 per hour / £150 - £400 per day depending on grade

JOBS IN THE REAL LONDON
Gallowglass crewing is offering applicants a chance to
experience the places in London that others may never get
the chance to see. You could find yourself working at some of
the UK’s most famous venues and at the stunning new Olympic
sites, whilst enjoying the kudos of working for a company that
is a world leader in its field.
Gallowglass, Europe’s leading crewing company serving event
& media related industries are looking for physically strong, fit,
ambitious, good humoured, presentable, and conscientious
team players to join our crew for 2012. This is an opportunity
to gain new qualifications whilst having fun and earning very
decent money!
However qualifications are not vital as our in house training will
bring you up to our industry renowned high standards, but we
are particularly looking for candidates with driver’s licences,
for forklift, cherry picker, scissor lift MEWP licences, and those
with trade skills such as electricians and carpenters.
If you are interested in joining our award winning team then
please apply on our website www.gallowlass.co.uk or
send your CV to hr@gallowglass.co.uk.

Lumleys recruits the very best Catering
& Hospitality staff. Do you have what
it takes to join the Lumleys team?
Call us on +44 (0)20 7630 0545
or visit our website
www.lumleyscooks.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL
SERVICES LTD
Digital Media Company
specialising in high volume
commercial photography and
photographic retouching.
We retouch images for a major
high street retailer, which are
used for in-store advertising,
catalogues, and online media.

DO YOU HAVE QUALITY
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE?
Location: London Salary: On Application
We are always looking for experienced freelance
Commercial Retouchers and occasionally Junior
Stylists & Photographic assistants. This is a
fantastic opportunity to gain experience working
on commercial photography in a busy studio
environment. Applicants must have advanced
Photoshop knowlege and be Apple Mac literate.
Experience using Capture One would be an
advantage. All applicants should have the relevant
work permits and visas where applicable to work
in the UK before applying. If you have the above
requirements send a covering note saying a little
about yourself with your CV to:

Tony - digipixwork@mac.com
82

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

GETTINGWORK

The work
Listen to the chatter in bars and
restaurants around the UK; the
southern Hemisphere accent really
cuts through, such is the number
of them working in the industry.
Waiting and other front-ofhouse positions are usually widely
available, and there are also plenty
of jobs to land in the kitchen
– many a chef has made their mark
here. But the bonus for waiters
is supplementing wages with tips.
This is an industry where
turnover is high, so don’t give up
if you don’t get a job straight
away. It’s a numbers game, so
you’ll land something in no time.
The pay

Pulling beers: You’ll get to meet the locals

Along with retail, the hospitality
industry is one of the lowest
paying. The minimum wage is
personal licence, known officially
£4.98 for 18-21-year-olds and £6.08 as a National Certificate for
for those aged 21 and over.
Personal Licence Holders or
That might seem a bit tight,
(NCPLH) Level 2. This involves
but you’ll find the tips more than
partaking in a licensing law course
make up for it – this alone is an
and sitting an exam. You can find
incentive to not only be good at
various organisations online that
your job, but to be
offer the course
extra friendly to
(see dcms.gov.uk
CODE OF PRACTICE
customers.
for more details).
The British Hospitality Association
Also check
Equally,
has published a voluntary code
whether the job
anyone wanting
of practice on service charges,
has any perks.
to work in a
in an effort to make things more
Many hospitality
kitchen must
clear for both customers and
jobs, mostly outside
have basic food
employees. The guide urges
of London, include
and hygiene and
restaurants, including those inside
accommodation
health and safety
hotels, to disclose to customers
and food. It’ll save
qualifications
exactly how they manage their
you a packet.
under their belt.
discretionary service charges
Further up the
If you’re waiting
and non-cash tips.
ladder, assistant
tables, you
managers can
don’t need any
command a salary between
qualifications, but experience is
£17,000 to £22,000 a year; and
helpful. In fact, some employers
managers can earn from £20,000
prefer this.
to £35,000 a year, depending on
Training courses
the company and position.
A recruitment and training
Qualifications
company such as Kubaba (kubaba.
Firstly, if you want a management
co.uk) can provide training
role, or to be responsible for
courses for anyone who want to
selling alcohol, you’ll need a
gain extra qualifications. Kubaba

rerepresentative Emine San says
antipodeans and South Africans
have the added advantage of
being fluent in English – important
for front-of-house positions.
“Coming from a native English
speaking country will gain extra
points for job applicants,” she says.
Convinced?
Bar worker Unn, who came from
an office environment in Australia,
has found it “refreshing not to
be stuck behind a desk five days
a week”.
She adds: “The social aspect is
definitely the best part of working
in this industry. I’m making new
friends and getting to know the
locals. Plus, getting hit on at least
once a night isn’t bad!” ❚

Bonus: the tips can be good
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

83

GETTINGWORK

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Taking a course is a great way to up your employability

Learning curve
Up your chances of getting a job by taking a course. Here’s our round up of
what to study in London and where WORDS CLARE VOOGHT
Studying can be a great thing to do when you first
move to a new country – you’ll be making new friends
on your course and you’ll also be learning new skills to
increase your embloyability. But what’s available in the
capitial? There are plenty of full-time courses you can
totally immerse yourself in or you could pick a parttime course to fit around your job.
For full-time courses apply in plenty of advance
– most university-level ones will have application
deadlines months before the course start date.
Short-term courses can be picked up depending on
availability at shorter notice.

start of your name at King’s College. The prestigious
university’s med school is one of the country’s
biggest and oldest. London Metropolitan University
(londonmet.ac.uk) has launched a new medical degree.
City University (city.ac.uk) offers undergraduate
and postgraduate courses in nursing, radiography,
biomedical engineering and medical ultrasound.
If you’re more of a gym bunny than a lifesaver,
on the health and fitness side of things you can take
full-time and distance learning courses at Discovery UK
(discovery.uk.com). They specialise in personal training
and nutrition.

Medical & Health

Numbers and figures

If you fancy yourself in a white coat, apply to do a
degree in medicine and come out with Doctor at the

Demand is high for qualified accountants right now,
so it’s a savvy decision for number crunchers to do an

84

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

GETTINGWORK

facebook/tntmagazine

accountancy course. London College
of Accountancy (londoncollege.org)
offers degree level and professional
courses in accountancy and finance,
as does the London School of
Accountancy and Management
(londonsam.org.uk).
Language
If you fancy picking up some new
lingo skills to impress with on your
travels, then Language Courses
UK (languagecoursesuk.co.uk)
offer part-time foreign language
classes in 20 different locations
across London. They offer a host of
courses, from Italian to Farsi with
French, Thai, Spanish, Mandarin,
Russian, Italian, Swedish, Arabic,
Turkish and Japanese in between.
If you see your language
learning becoming a little bit more
serious, universities to look at in
London for full-time courses are

SOAS for Oriental languages or UCL
for European languages.
Or take a TEFL course, which
will allow you take your English
teaching skills anywhere in the
world – that should help you fund
a few more trips. TNT offers twoday TEFL courses from around £150.
Visit tntmagazine.com for more
information on TEFL, plus foreign
language courses.
Sciences
For science degrees, Imperial
College in Knightsbridge (imperial.
ac.uk) offers undergraduate
and postgraduate courses in
natural sciences plus engineering,
aeronautics, bioengineering,
chemical engineering and chemical
technology.
The Open University (open.
ac.uk) offers scientific degrees on
a distance-learning basis (alongside
a host of other subjects). It also
allows students to study in 40
countries, so you can get a head
start before you make the move.
The arts
Goldsmiths (gold.ac.uk) and
Camberwell College of the Arts are
probably the artiest universities
you’ll find in London, so head to
either of those for courses in art,
design and music.
IT & computing

Hit the books and learn a new skill

Having the right computer skills
for a job is essential, so if yours are
rusty, this is a highly valuable area
to brush up on. IT and computing
courses range from simple
Microsoft Office training to fullon programming or web design.
There are lots out there, so you will
definitely find something to suit
your needs.
Kensington College
(kensingtoncollege.co.uk)offers
a range of computing courses
or you can get courses to work
through from home from Learn
Direct (learndirect.co.uk).

UK STUDENT

VISA RULES
• People in the UK on student

visas are only allowed to
work 20 hours a week
during term time.
But
to get a visa, students
•
must be able to meet the
fees of the course, plus their
accommodation and living
costs without working.
• Rules on going home after
your studies have tightened,
so make sure you make it
clear you’re planning on
returning when applying.
• You must have been
accepted onto a course in
the UK before applying for
a student visa. If you haven’t,
you can apply for entry as a
prospective student.
• You must apply for a student
visa from your home
country, or you can apply
from the UK to switch visa
categories.

London Metropolitan University
also has several undergraduate and
postgraduate computing courses,
plus more practical courses like
business computing.
Practical courses
Fancy something a bit more handson? London has lots of practical
courses to offer too, from plumbing
to beauty.
OLCI offer courses in plumbing,
gas and electrics from their central
London training centre – and there’s
always a demand for that type of
work. Plus they also teach courses
on renewable energy, bricklaying
and plastering, which are all
transferrable skills you can use in
other countries.
The London School of Beauty &
Make Up (lond-est.com) offers parttime and evening make-up artistry
and beauty courses, so you can fit
classes around your job.
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

culture and stunning
nature in Scandinavia
and the Baltics
including Lapland
in winter.

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TRAVEL

Road trip: grab a group
of friends and head off

Exploring Europe
The continent is calling. Here we give you the lowdown on the best
ways to get across the Channel to do some European exploring
London is so close to mainland Europe that you’d be a
fool not to check out the continent while you’re here.
Cheap flights to most cities are on offer every week,
and you can scoop up some great accommodation deals
at the same time. The sights, smells, sounds and tastes
of so many different cultures are ready and waiting for
you to explore. Here’s how to discover them.
On the road
There’s nothing more adventurous than a good oldfashioned road trip. One option is joining the annual
van tour, which isn’t an organised tour but basically
a bunch of vans full of party-loving young people
(many of them antipodeans) following the same
route around Europe and meeting up along the way.
Because most people on van tours are up for

having a good time, major summer festivals around
Europe are the main stops. It all unofficially kicks off
at the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, in
July, and ends at Munich’s Oktoberfest in September.
However, if you want to see Europe at a more
leisurely pace, buy a van, grab a handful of likeminded mates, and follow your own route.
You’ll find plenty of second-hand camper vans for
sale in London, and once you have your own homeaway-from-home, you can pack up and hit the road
whenever you like.
The best time to buy a vehicle is at the end of the
previous van tour season in October – many vehicles
will already be decked out with beds, camping gear,
a stove and cooking utensils.
Expect to pay about £2000 for a roadworthy
››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

87

TRAVEL
set of wheels, more if you’re buying from a used car
dealer – though the plus side is that your van will
come with a warranty.
Remember the costs of running a vehicle mount
up long after the initial outlay. As well as forking
out for road tax, you’ll also need an annual MOT
(roadworthy) certificate for any vehicle more than
three years old.
Think about the equipment you’re going to
need: spare tyre, jack, basic tools, a stove, bedding ...
again, being prepared before you leave is easier than
hunting down essentials on the road.
Renting a vehicle can be more cost effective,
especially if you can split the fee with some mates.
As for a licence, you can legally drive in Europe
using your home licence for one year, after which you
must give it up and apply for a UK version. You don’t
need to take another test, but you will need to pay
a fee. See dvla.gov.uk
Cheap flights
Hundreds of bargain flights to cities all over Europe
take off daily from London’s five major airports.
The main budget carriers are easyJet and Ryanair,
but your best bet is to Google ‘cheap flights’ and
go from there. Often you can get hotel and car hire
discounts thrown in as part of the deal. Remember to
read the small print. Often the prices of cheap flights
are boosted by checked bags, insurance and priority
charges, which you can choose not to pay for.
Keep in mind the timing of your trip when
booking your flights. Air ticket prices vary depending
on the season, date and time of day.
Usually flights are more expensive during school
holidays, festival times and ski season, when the
airlines are busy. Tickets can also be pricier for
weekend travel when working people get some time

Eurostar at St Pancras

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Head off on a van tour

out to go away. It pays to be flexible with the timing
of your flights. The ideal days for flying from London
are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
InteRail passes
With an InterRail pass you have the option of
exploring 30 countries by rail with the classic Global
Pass starting from £169.
The pass is valid for Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro,
the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.
The InterRail One Country Pass is your best choice
if you only want to visit one European country by
train. This starts at £34.
InterRail also entitles you to cheaper ferry fares,
such as from Italy to Greece. See interrailnet.com
Eurostar
With core train services from London to Brussels,
Disneyland Paris, Paris, Lille and Avignon, Eurostar can
connect you to more than 100 places in Europe.
If you’re into skiing or boarding, hop on the
Eurostar ski train at London’s St Pancras International,
and be whisked off direct to the winter resorts of
Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne or Bourg-St-Maurice.
You can travel on the Eurostar ski train either
during the day or night – daytime offers stunning
views from your seat, while if you take the overnight
train you’ll arrive bright and early at your destination,
with more time on the slopes.
See eurostar.com ❚

88

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

in association with

5%

discount

in more than 2,400 locations
in over 60 countries
Happy
Motoring!

easycar.com/tntmagazine
TNT Language
School sponsored by

with

LANGUAGE SCHOOL

Learn The Lingo courses, part of TNT’s Language School,
are ideal for beginners or those who’d like to brush up on the basics
French / Spanish / Italian

Explorer
Smaller groups that get off the
beaten track and really get to the
heart of a destination.

trips for 18 to 30 somethings

www.topdeck.travel

At Topdeck, we’re passionate about providing the best
experience in Europe. We believe in trips not tours, giving
you enough free time and space to enjoy Europe the
way you want to. All of Topdeck’s passengers are aged
between 18 and 39 so you get to share all of your amazing
experiences with a bunch of like-minded people.

For the latest
Topdeck special
offers make sure
you check out
www.topdeck.
travel/deals

If that wasn’t enough, here are a few more reasons..

Exclusive to
Topdeck: Flotilla
Sailing in Greece

Why choose Topdeck?
Loads of amazing European itineraries
ranging from 6 to 49 days
More free time to do what you want
Everyone aged 18 to 39
Passionate staff
No tipping
More included meals to save you money
Loads more exclusive inclusions like
ﬂotilla sailing in Greece & our Paris
gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower

EUROPEAN FESTIVALS
No one does European festivals quite like Topdeck. We have
nearly 40 years’ experience of sending travellers to the most
exciting events in Europe. Whether it’s running with the bulls
in Pamplona, experiencing Spain’s amazing ﬁre festival of
Las Fallas, downing a few steins at Oktoberfest, celebrating
St Patrick’s Day in Dublin or getting covered in tomatoes at
La Tomatina in Spain, Topdeck can take you there!

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

The Trevi fountain: where you might fall for a local

Roman Holiday
Buckle up – the Italian capital lives life in the fast lane. We whizz around
world-class ancient sights before making the hardest decision: pizza or pasta?

It’s clear why Rome wasn’t built in a day – there’s just
too much damn stuff crammed in. As if wandering
the world’s greatest open-air museum wasn’t
enough, dodging zippy Vespas, taking on stomachstretching piles of pasta, and flirting with stylish
espresso-sluggers will leave you breathless.
Headline attraction
The world-renowned Colosseum is the Italian
capital’s most iconic landmark. The amphitheatre
was completed in 80AD and seated about 50,000
spectators, who came to see the blood and gore flow
in gladiatorial contests. Missing this would be like
skipping out on the Eiffel Tower.
92

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Best of the rest
Other iconic Roman sites include the Pantheon, an
ancient temple built to honour the gods of Rome
in AD126; the baroque Trevi Fountain (toss in two

ITALY

ROME

GETTING THERE
The main airport is
Leonardo da Vinci. Jump on the
Leonardo Express for €14 (about
£12) to the city centre. Note that
Ciampino airport is used by some
budget carriers.

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

Colosseum

[Caption]
Gelato

The Vatican Museum

coins and legend has it you’ll fall in love with an
Italian); and the Spanish Steps, the widest and longest
staircase in Europe with a knee-knackering 138 steps.

– at the Roman Forum, the heart of Ancient Rome.
Don’t miss the stone where Julius Caesar was laid
after his fatal stab to the back.

Dare to be square

In the green

No other Italian city does public squares, known as
piazzas, like Rome. Don’t miss the incredible Piazza
Navona. It’s home to the masterpiece Fountain of
the Four Rivers, featuring an Egyptian obelisk and
renderings of river gods.

Spend some time, or a whole day, in Rome’s green
lung, the Villa Borghese, one of the most elegant
gardens in all of Europe. It’s the perfect place for
a picnic on a lazy summer day, and it’s also home
to a couple of excellent museums, including the
Galleria Borghese, a collection of sculptures and
mosaics from the 15th to 18th centuries.

Foodie finds

Pizza in Rome is delightfully thin and crunchy; try the
Rome by Vespa
potato and rosemary pizza, a Roman specialty. Grab
a slice from Forno di Campo de’ Fiori (Campo de’ Fiori
See the city like a local and hire a scooter from Bici
22). Pasta fans should also take note that Thursday in
& Baci (bicibaci.com). Parking for scooters is free,
the Eternal City is gnocchi day. Make
so you can whizz past crowds of
sure you wash it all down with frascati,
WHEN TO GO: Rome is a
tourists to reach the city’s sights
the Roman white wine.
year-round destination, but July
quicker, and leave your wheels
and August can be unpleasantly
outside at no extra cost.
Gelato time
hot and sticky.
Out of town
CURRENCY: £1 = €1.16
Romans also love their gelato: Italian
You’ll need a full day to explore
ACCOMMODATION: Dorm
ice-cream with – hurrah! – a lower
Vatican City, from the mighty
beds from about £11; private
fat content. Get your fill at La
St Peter’s Basilica and Square to
rooms from about £17.
Fonte della Salute in the Trastevere
GETTING AROUND: Buses, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
neighbourhood (Via Cardinal
Get there early as the crowds will
trams, the metro and trains use
Marmaggi); or Gellateria della Palma
be sizeable, and ladies: cover your
the same tickets. These must be
(Via della Maddalena, around the
shoulders, otherwise you’ll be turned
bought at nearby shops before
corner from the Pantheon).
away. Take a peek up at the Pope’s
boarding and then validated. Only
Ruin it
bedroom window from the main
use official yellow or white taxis.
piazza, or attend his weekly blessing
SEE: rome.info
Travel back in time and take in the
ceremony on a Wednesday.
ruins – some built as far back as 7BC
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

93

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Party city: laze on the beaches
then explore the city centre

Big time Barcelona
Barcelona is a party-loving city and festivals take place all year round. But
make sure you save some energy for a cava tour and a trip up Montserrat
Barcelona is a seriously hip city where you’ll find
art, music and film events going on all the time.
Festivities peak with the Festes de la Mercè in
September, when the streets are filled with giant
puppets, and Sonar, a mind-bending weekend of
electro music. Between partying, you can wonder
at Barcelona’s bizarre Gaudi architecture.

the city filled with giant papier-mâché puppets and
fire-breathing dragons and devils. Barcelonans are
friendly, so expect to feel part of the buzz.
Beauty or the beast?
Antoni Gaudí’s is possibly the craziest architecture
you’ll see. From the mermaid’s palace of Casa Batlló

Festival city
People flock from all over the world to join the partyloving residents of Barcelona in their busy annual
calendar of festivals. On Jan 6, the city explodes
with fireworks for Dia de Reyes; Carnival kicks off on
Feb 16, celebrated with enthusiasm by the city’s gay
community; indie-fest Primavera begins on May 30;
on June 14, 80,000 people descend for Sonar festival
carnage; then, on Sep 22, Festes de la Mercè sees
94

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Barcelona
MADRID

SPAIN

GETTING THERE
British Airways, easyJet,
Ryanair, Iberia and Monarch fly
direct to Barcelona from £40 return.
When you arrive at El Prat, take the
Aerobus into town (€5.30 £4.50)
single) or the RENFE train (€3.15
£2.70) that links with the metro.
Girona Airport, 100km away, is used
by some budget airlines

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

to the magic of Parc
Güell, it’s an essential
part of the Barcelona
experience. The
unfinished Sagrada
Familia is both
beautiful and hideous
with its molten waxlike figures and
spires. Don’t miss
La Pedrera, a Gaudi
apartment block with
a roof terrace.

WHEN TO GO: There are
things happening all year round,
but the weather is particularly
pleasant in spring and autumn.
CURRENCY: Euro.
1 GBP = 1.16 EUR.
ACCOMMODATION: Dorm
beds from €15 (£13). Private
hotel rooms from €24 (£20).
SEE: barcelonaturisme.com.

Tapas time
Wander along the famous La Rambla boulevard, choc
full of markets, cafes, stalls and colourful characters.
It’s touristy but, nonetheless, something story-worthy
is bound to happen as the famous street attracts a
weird and wonderful selection of humanity.

You’ll see plenty of Gaudi architecture

Tapas time
Eating small plates of Spanish delicacies is part of
Spanish culture, and there are loads of tapas bars in
Barcelona, particularly in the Barri Gòtic area just off
La Rambla. Try calamares a la Romana (deep-fried
calamari), patatas bravas (fried potatoes), chipirones
(baby squid) and albóndigas (meatballs). Wash it all
down with a glass of Sangria – Spain’s traditional
fruity wine punch.
Music to your ears
Catch some live music at Razzmatazz, Apolo,
Sidecar or Bikini. For something classical, try the
Gran Teatre del Liceu. If you’re not brave enough
to take flamenco lessons then at least check out the
traditional dance as a spectator. There are numerous
Flamenco bars in Barcelona. El Tablao de Carmen is
popular but you won’t be the only tourist.
Park life
Hungover? Have a walk in the beautiful Teatre
Grec gardens around the impressive Fundació Joan
Miró museum, then go inside to goggle at a huge
collection of paintings and sculptures by the Spanish
surrealist and other artists. If you’re feeling more
hearty, climb Montjuïic, just outside the town, for
amazing views of the sea.
Shopathon
For interesting one-offs, head to the Barri Gòtic
where young designers have their boutiques, and
you might find a treasure. El Raval is also good for
independent shops. If you’re after Zara or Mango

High life: Montjuic mountain
discounts, however, then get yourself to Plaça
Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia or Diagonal.
The cava trail
If you feel as though you’ve ticked off the sights
of Barcelona, take a trip to nearby Montserrat,
the monastery-peaked mountain that towers over
Catalonia. The region is famous for its wine and
champagne and there are a number of tours you
can book from the city, thus avoiding having to drive
or stay sober. Take part in a tasting session at the
Freixenet or Codorniu winery and get happy. ❚
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

95

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Squats-turned-artist enclaves/ underground clubs/ cafes are all the rage

Big in Berlin
The German capital has reinvented itself as a buzzing hipster haven. Find
out where to see and be seen with our guide to the best in cutting-edge cool
A recent explosion in edgy fashion, art, design and
music has cemented Berlin as the European capital of
cultural cool. Nowadays, hipsters from far and wide
descend on the Deutsch city to compare haircuts over
a coffee and indulge in electro-fuelled hedonism.
But there’s more to Berlin than donning a vintage
blazer and a pair of skinnies and striking a pose.
In the 21 years since the wall came down, Berlin has
been re-energised to the extent that it is now one of
the most sought-after city breaks in Europe.
Here, we’ll tell you why.
Headline attraction
While Berlin has moved on, the city’s Cold War history
is too important to ignore. There are some remnants
of the wall around town. The East Side Gallery
96

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

(eastsidegallery.com) is a stretch which has been
transformed by street artists. Checkpoint Charlie, once
a gateway between East and West, is now home to a
fascinating museum (mauermuseum.de) documenting
the attempts of East Berliners to escape to the West.
To appreciate the full horror of the Soviet-occupied

BERLIN

GERMANY

GETTING THERE
Berlin’s main
international airport is Tegel, but
most low-cost airlines fly into
Schönefeld.

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

The Communist TV Tower

Long night of museums
The best time to get your culture vulture on is the
annual Long Night of Museums, this year taking
place on January 28. More than 100 museums and
institutions in the city open their doors from 6pm
until 2am, adding an edge to your culturally curious
wanderings, and including concerts, readings,
theatrics and parties (berlin.de).
Snap happy
Get clicking at the Reichstag (bundestag.de), home
to the German Parliament with its stunning modern
glass cupola, or dome. The equally photogenic
Brandenburg Gate is within walking distance.
Dare to be square

German Democratic Republic’s repressive Ministry
for State Security (the Stasi), check out the Stasi
Museum (stasimuseum.de), or visit the Stasi Prison
(en.stiftung-hsh.de).
Best of the rest
Try the Museum of Contemporary Art in the former
Hamburger Bahnhof (hamburgerbahnhof.de).
For an overview of Jewish life in Germany check out
the Juedisches Museum (jmberlin.de), and visit the
moving Holocaust Memorial. For something a bit
different, take a tour in a Trabant – the famously
unreliable East German car that has won an ironic
place in people’s hearts; a symbol for the failure of
communist East Germany (trabi-safari.de).
Alternative Berlin
Make sure you don’t miss the free Alternative Berlin
tour. Your guide will take you to artist squats, multicultural neighbourhoods, and cultural landmarks such
as the Eastside gallery. The tour departs daily from
Alexanderplatz TV tower (alternativeberlin.com).

Two vast squares, Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer
Platz, provide a good way of getting your bearings.
The former was the centre of the East German sector
and is home to the
TV Tower built to
WHEN TO GO: Any time, but
celebrate the glories
be warned that it’s very cold from
of communism.
November to February.
Potsdamer Platz
CURRENCY: £1 = €1.16
is now the modern
ACCOMMODATION: For
centre of Berlin.
quirky-cool, try Ostel: The GDR
Design Hostel (ostel.eu); dorm
Foodie finds
beds from around £13pn. If you’re
German food is good
after a party hostel, A&O Berlin
winter-warming fare
am Zoo (aohostels.com) should do
– pork knuckle with
the trick; dorm beds from £10pn.
potato dumplings and
GETTING AROUND: With
sauerkraut has to be
a choice of S-bahn (train), U-Bahn
sampled, and is best
(underground), trams and buses,
paired with a local
you won’t need to walk far.
brew. Also try Berlin’s
SEE: berlin.de
famous currywurst, a
plump sausage served with curry. All porked out? The
city’s multiculturalism ensures you’ll also be able to eat
your fill of Turkish, Vietnamese and Lebanese dishes.
On the town

Berlin: capital of cool

Those with a boho bent should head to the
funky clubs of the former East Berlin suburb of
Friedrichshain. Closely associated with the squat scene
of 1989-90, its former squats now offer up everything
from cool cafes and cheap bars to trendy book clubs
and underground parties. See stressfaktor.squat.net.
The Turkish suburb of Kreuzberg is also home to some
edgy nightlife. Like your scene a bit racier? Often
touted as the world’s best club, Berghain is a fetishtechno club set in a former power plant behind the
Berlin Ostbahnhof railway station (berghain.de). ❚
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

97

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Living the dream: life’s beautiful in Croatia

Coast with the most
Sail away around the beautiful islands of Croatia. Stunning scenery, limitless
fun and a group of up-for-it travellers – where could be better?
Croatia is renowned for having some of the most
beautiful, untouched coastline in Europe. Form
a group with your friends (or meet new ones
aboard) and relax as you meander the gorgeous
waters of this striking country.
Prepare to find secluded bays, tiny islands and
coves hidden in the sparkling blue of the Adriatic.
A sailing adventure in Croatia is the perfect
opportunity to sample the individual culture of
each island and its people. During the day, you’ll
stop off at bays for a swim, while in the evening,
you’ll visit historic ports to dine on fresh seafood.
Make sure you visit these islands:
Markarska
Tucked under the huge peaks of the Biokovo
98

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

mountain range, Makarska has one of the most
attractive coastlines on the Dalmatian coast. Mt Jure
is the highest seaside peak on the Mediterranean.
Stroll along the quaint ancient streets, explore
historical churches and other exquisite architectural
and cultural sights.
BOSNIA &
HERZEGOVINA
CROATIA
Split

Dubrovnik

GETTING THERE
You can fly from London
to Split (with easyJet from £32.99
one way) or Dubrovnik (with BA
from £125 one way). Once there,
an organised tour is easiest, see
tntmagazine.com

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

Picture-prefect: Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
This is one of the most beautiful cities
in Croatia – its old town could have
been lifted straight out of a medieval
storybook. A leisurely walk around
Dubrovnik’s famous walls offers
amazing views from all angles: from
the vistas over the red-bricked roofs
and church spires to the panorama
of the shimmering Adriatic and the
mountains above the town.
Hvar
Hvar encapsulates all that’s great
about the Mediterranean: pretty
marble and lush vineyards, palm
trees lining the shore and the fortress
overlooking it all. The view from Hvar
Town, the harbour and the Pakleni
Islands is sublime, particularly at
sunset – and, if you came to party,
you won’t leave disappointed.
Korcula
There’s no public transport on this
beautiful island, but its quaint old
town, boasting superb Renaissance
and Gothic buildings, is small enough
to stroll around. The pick of the
attractions is Bar Massimo, which has
al fresco seating atop an old tower.
It’s accessible by a steep ladder, and
the cocktails (40 kuna/ £5) are hauled

Unwind in Korcula and (above) Hvar
WHEN TO GO: The sailing
season is from April to September.
Public transport, including ferries,
is good, so it’s feasible to see the
coast and islands independently
although an organised tour will
eliminate all the hassle for you.
CURRENCY: Croatian Kuna.
1 GBP = 8.7 kuna
ACCOMMODATION: A
hotel double in Dubrovnik starts
at 100HRK (£11) but you’ll want
to see the country via sailing boat.
SEE: croatia.hr

Dive in to Croatia

up from the bar below on a pulley
system. Get there before sunset to
get a seat and soak up the milliondollar view.
Split
It’s easy to get lost in Split, such is
its tangled web of streets, but it’s
also a place where relaxation comes
easily. Head along the refurbished
harbourside promenade and take
your pick of cafes to sit and watch
the world go by. If you’d prefer
a coffee or beer among locals rather
than tourists, head to Teak Café in
the north-east corner of the palace.
Or for serious boozing and partying,
there are numerous heaving bars in
the south-east corner.
Mljet
Explore the natural salt lakes in the
national park and unwind with the
sun and sea on this peaceful island,
of which some 72 per cent is forest.
You can visit the little isle of St Mary,
in the middle of the large lake. It
has an ancient Benedictine
monastery, an old abbey and church
dating from the 12th century.
Alternatively, hire a small boat,
kayak, bicycle, scooter or cabriolet
to explore the park independently. ❚
TNTMAGAZINE.COM

99

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Be a tourist: make sure
you visit the Eiffel Tower

Parisian getaway
The City of Love: stylish and cultured but also snobby, the French capital has
a reputation that can’t be ignored. But Paris is more than its stereotypes
Of course you’ll want to see the tourist attractions
while visiting this stunning city, but make sure you
venture off the beaten track as Paris has more to offer
than its arrogant residents and high-street style. There’s
a buzzy music and arts scene, eclectic nightlife and offbeat shopping to be had.

place on Earth. At night, 20,000 lightbulbs illuminate
the tower for five minutes every hour creating a magical
spectacle even the love-cynic can enjoy. The queues to
buy tickets and climb to the top are long, but you can
book ahead at tour-eiffel.fr.

Be a tourist
Don your most comfy walking shoes and hang your
camera around your neck – you’re going sight-seeing,
Paris style. First, head to the Eiffel Tower. The view from
the top is breathtaking – on a clear day you can see
for 40 miles. They don’t call this the city of romance for
nothing – you’re more likely to see a man go down on
a bended knee to pop the question here than any other
100 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

PARIS

FRANCE

GETTING THERE
The major airports are
Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly.
Eurostar (eurostar.com) trains
from St Pancras take just over
two hours to Gare du Nord.

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

[Caption]

Notre Dame Cathedral
Hit the road

Scoff French pastries
Snap happy

Take a stroll along the beautiful river Seine. Every
At the end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de
summer, “beaches” – with sand,
Triomphe is the world’s most famous
parasols, games and cafes – are set up
roundabout. Built as a monument to
WHEN TO GO: Paris is great
on stretches of the Seine. Between
fallen soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars,
to visit at any time of year.
February and November, cruise along
it’s another icon of Paris. Sacré-Coeur
CURRENCY: Euro.
the Seine on a hop-on, hop-off boat.
Basilica, at the summit of Montmarte
1 GBP = 1.17 EUR
Get your camera ready for shots along
Hill, 130m high, is the highest point in
ACCOMMODATION: Dorm
the way of the Eiffel Tower, Musée
Paris, so prepare for stunning views.
rooms from €16 (£14). Private
d’Orsay and Notre Dame cathedral.
rooms from €23 (£20).
Gay Paree!
Also worth a stroll is the once
GETTING AROUND:
bohemian, now posh Latin Quarter
As the centre of the Belle Epoque, and
ParisVisite tickets can be used on
– home to the Sorbonne university
home to the Moulin Rouge, Paris does
the Metro and bus networks, the
and streets of chic boutiques.
partying with a twist. Head to the upcity’s trams, and SNCF trains.
and-coming Bastille area for an array
VISAS: South Africans need
Day at the museums
of edgy bars, clubs, live music venues
a Schengen visa. Australians and
and cafes galore. For an authentic
The Louvre is the most visited art
New Zealanders don’t need a visa.
night out, venture to the Oberkampf
museum in the world – it’s also one of
SEE: parisinfo.com
district, which is popular with the
the biggest, with some 35,000 objects
trendy Parisian crowd, for its selection
from prehistory to the 19th century.
of sleazy cafes as well as its lively bars. ❚
There’ll be a crowd around the Mona Lisa, so have a
quick look, then get lost in the original courtyards of
this 12th century, former palace. Fans of Dan Brown’s
Most-visited museum: Musée du Louvre
Da Vinci Code can buy an audio guide explaining
the links between the book and the museum, which
opened in 1793. For another culture fix, head to the
Musée d’Orsay. It is best known for its vast collection
of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces by
renowned painters including Monet and Van Gogh.
Spend, spend, spend
To part with your hard-earned cash quickly, the
Champs-Élysées is lined with designer retailers, such as
Louis Vuitton, where you often have to queue just to
get in. However, for more realistic prices, head to Le
Marais, the historical centre of Paris’s Jewish and gay
communities, where you’ll find vintage bargains. And
the Saint-Ouen flea market is great for one-off finds.
TNTMAGAZINE.COM 101

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

London:
Coming & going
Your guide to getting to and from London’s major airports for your travels
London has five major airports: Heathrow, Gatwick,
Stansted, Luton and London City. During your time in
the UK capital you’ll use at least one of these. Each
has its own set of pros and cons.
Heathrow
One of the world’s busiest and most sophisticated
airports, handling more international passengers than
any other. It’s located 32km west of central London
and has excellent transport links.
Each of the five terminals has competitive
currency exchange facilities, information counters,
accommodation desks and left luggage facilities.
Heathrow by Tube
The Piccadilly line connects Heathrow to central
London and the rest of the Tube. Journey time to
102 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Piccadilly Circus is about 50 minutes. A single ticket
into central London (Zone 1) costs £5. If you’re going
to be using London’s public transport system, it’s
worth buying an Oyster card.
Heathrow by Coach
National Express runs frequent coach services
between Heathrow’s central bus station and Victoria
Coach Station. The journey takes between 40 minutes
and one hour 30 minutes, depending on the route.
Standard tickets cost £5 single or £9 return.
Heathrow by Bus
Between midnight and 5.30am, the N9 night bus
runs about every 30 minutes to central London
and terminates at Trafalgar Square. Journey time is
approximately 65 minutes. Standard bus fares apply
(£1.30 Oyster/£2.20 cash).

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

Heathrow Airport by Taxi
A metered trip in a black cab to/ from central London
will cost between £50 and £80.
Luton
Luton Airport (LTN) is one of the UK’s fastest growing
airports. Many of the scheduled flights are provided
by low-cost airlines. Luton Airport is 51km north-west
of London.
Luton Airport by Train
A regular shuttle bus links the airport to Luton
Airport Parkway train station in about eight minutes.
From there, First Capital Connect operates regular
rail services to central London stations. Trains run all
day and night, and the journey time is approximately
50 minutes. A standard single ticket costs £12.50.
Luton Airport by Coach
EasyBus offers a low-cost express bus service between
central London and Luton Airport. EasyBus coaches
run 24 hours a day between the airport and Central
London. A standard one-way ticket starts at £2 when
you buy online.
Luton by Taxi
A metered trip to/ from central London will cost
about £80.

London City
London City Airport is situated approximately 9.5km
east of Central London, and around 4.8km from
Canary Wharf.
London City by Rail
You can catch the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to
London City Airport. Services run every seven to ten
minutes. Fares on the DLR are the same as those on
the Tube.
London City by Coach
Local bus routes serving the airport are the 473
(Stratford, Silvertown, North Woolwich, and Prince
Regent Station) and the 474 (Canning Town,
North Woolwich and East Beckton via Silvertown).
Standard bus fares apply (£1.30 Oyster/ £2.20 cash).
London City Airport by Tube
Take the Jubilee Line to Canning Town or Canary
Warf, or take the Central Line to Bank, and change
to the DLR.
By Taxi
A metered trip to/ from central London will cost
about £20.
Gatwick

The second largest airport in the UK after Heathrow,
Gatwick is located 45km south of London.
Gatwick by Rail
Stansted is Britain’s third busiest airport and home
to many of the UK’s low-cost airlines, serving mostly
The Gatwick Express is the fastest way into Central
Mediterranean and European destinations. It’s located London. Standard fares are £17.90 single and £30.80
64km to the north-east of London in Essex.
return. Journey time is 30 minutes and is non-stop
Stansted by Rail
to London Victoria station. First Capital Connect trains
to London Bridge, Blackfriars and King’s Cross stations
Stansted Express is the quickest way into Central
leave every 30 minutes. The standard adult single fare
London. Standard fares are £20 single and £27.30
is £9.40.
return. Journey time is around 45 minutes, and
Southern Railway services operate every 15 minutes
the trains stop at Tottenham Hale station before
during the day between Gatwick and London Bridge.
terminating at Liverpool Street station.
The journey time is bout 52 minutes. A standard
Stansted by Coach
single ticket will cost you £7.90.
EasyBus operates between central London and
Gatwick by Coach
Stansted Airport. Services run every 20 minutes at
peak time, and every 30 minutes off-peak. Fares
National Express runs services between
start from £2 one-way. National
Gatwick and Victoria Coach Station.
Express operates a 24-hour service
Coaches run hourly and journey
to Victoria Coach Station. The
time varies. Standard fares
WEBSITES
journey time is one hour and 40
are £7.50 single or £14 return.
minutes. Standard tickets cost
EasyBus runs services every
easybus.co.uk
£10 single and £17 return.
20 minutes between 6am
nationalexpress.com
Stansted by Taxi
and 11pm. Fares start at
tfl.gov.uk
heathrowairport.com
£2 one-way.
Black cabs only operate
gatwickairport.com
Gatwick Airport by Taxi
in London, so not from
london-luton.co.uk
Stansted, but official
A metered trip in a black cab
londoncityairport.com
Checker Cars are available
to/ from central London will cost
stanstedairport.com
at metered cost.
about £70.
Stansted

LOOKING FOR A TOUR?
Overwhelmed by choice?
Check out our TourSearch at tntmagazine.com/toursearch.
Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done the legwork so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to, and put thousands of tours in one place.
Enter the details of what you want, read what other TNT
readers have to say about it, then select your ideal tour!

0s
1o0f 0
tours
in one

place

TOURSEARCH
powered by

Ă&#x2039; tntmagazine.com/toursearch
104 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

Majestic: Edinburgh Castle

Regal Edinburgh
Perfect for a quick getaway, the Scottish capital is full of majestic
architecture, unforgettable festivals, friendly people and authentic grub
Sophisticated culture, stunning surroundings and
down-to-earth locals make Edinburgh one of the
jewels in the UK’s crown. Whether you plan your trip
around Hogmanay, the Fringe Festival or exploring
the city, it’s bound to be memorable.
Festival frolics
Edinburgh becomes a hive of cultural activity in
August when the city plays host to the Edinburgh
International Festival (eif.co.uk) and the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival (edfringe.com), the biggest arts
festival in the world. More than 400,000 revellers
are expected to flock to the city for three fun-filled
weeks of comedy, music, drama and dance.
Also visit Edinburgh at New Year’s Eve for the
Hogmanay street party (see P121).

Historical seats
Perched at the top of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh
Castle dominates the city from every angle. It’s a
great place to learn about Scotland’s history and take
in views of the Scottish capital. It’s also worth heading
up to Arthur’s Seat, in Holyrood Park, which
››

SCOTLAND

EDINBURGH

GETTING THERE
Fly to Edinburgh in 40
mins and then catch the Airlink
100, which departs every 10
minutes, into the city centre.
Virgin’s train service from London
takes about five hours and drops
you in the city centre.

ENGLAND

TNTMAGAZINE.COM 105

TRAVEL
provides a stunning bird’s eye view
of Edinburgh’s gothic architecture.
Spooks galore
The dead have haunted Edinburgh’s
cobbled streets and buildings since
medieval times and what better way
to get spooked than to go on a ghost
walk. Visit the vaults beneath the
South Bridge and discover the story
behind the city’s body snatchers.
Heaps of haggis

follow us on

WHEN TO GO: Edinburgh
International Festival runs from
August 13-September 5, while the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes
place from August 4-31.
GETTING AROUND: It is
easy to explore Edinburgh on foot,
but there is a fairly extensive bus
service if you want to go further
than the city centre.
ACCOMMODATION: Dorm
beds start from £9 and private
rooms from £18.
SEE: edinburgh.org

Nip into a cosy pub on the Royal
Mile or IN Grassmarket and sit down
to a steaming plate of Scotland’s
most famous dish, haggis (sheep’s intestine combined
with onion, oatmeal, spices and salt). While it sounds
horrible, it tastes incredible when served with “neeps
and tatties” – turnips and potatoes.
Whisky sans mixer
As a nation of whisky drinkers, Scotland’s national

@tntmagazine

drop is always at hand. But be
warned, the locals wouldn’t dream of
contaminating their aged whisky with
any perceived impurities such as a
mixer. The Scots love a drink so there
are plenty of pubs from which to
choose in Edinburgh. One of the best
is The Last Drop where, legend has
it, convicted criminals were taken for
their final meal and a glass of whisky
before being walked across the road
to be hanged in the market square.
The pub retains an old charm that
makes it a wonderful place to spend
a few hours. ❚

BEST OF THE REST
EDINBURGH
BEST FOR ... CLUB
Wee Red Bar
Top tip: Check out ‘The Egg’ on Saturdays,
a weekly alternative bunch-up of classic punk,
garage, soul and indie music — past and present
— to delight the student crowd. Situated on
the grounds of the Edinburgh College of Art,
this institue of a night club doesn’t lack any
character.
Price: Entry prices range.
See: weeredbar.co.uk

Join the crowds at the Fringe

BEST FOR ... HIDDEN HAUNTED HISTORY
The Real Mary King’s Close
Top tip: Discover the underground streets and
spaces below Old Town through a guided tour
complete with a costumed character guide to tell
of all the blood and ghosts. For three quid extra
you can get the “Gold Ticket” for an extended
tour above ground. In December, experience the
special Christmas “Daft Days” tours.
Price: £12
See: realmarykingsclose.com
106 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

tntMagazine.com 107

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Feel the vibes: Solstice at Stonehenge

Bath & Stonehenge
A stone’s throw from London, Bath is home to the country’s only hot spring,
while mysterious Stonehenge was built by the aliens (maybe)

BATH
Only 90 minutes by train from London, you’ll discover
a city bursting with history and buzzing with
modern-day life. Visit the Roman baths and soak
away your troubles in the rooftop spa before hitting
the town for more liquid refreshment.
BATH: OLD AND NEW
Heading west on the route of the former Great
Western Railway, Bath is a beacon of tourism
longevity. Railways made mass tourism possible in the
late 1800s, but city has been welcoming spa-goers for
two millennia. It was more than 2000 years ago that
the Romans soaked their tired limbs in Britain’s only
hot spring. Today you can visit the museum or splash
108 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

around in similar style at the Thermae Bath Spa.
At the museum, marvel at the magnificent, steamfilled bathing complex and temple built by the
Romans. Known then as Aquae Sulis (Waters of
Sulis), this former Celtic shrine became a place
for legionnaires to recuperate when they weren’t
GETTING THERE
BATH: Trains take
90 minutess from London.
(firstgreatwestern.co.uk)

UNITED
KINGDOM

Bath

LONDON

Stonehenge

STONEHENGE: There are regular
trains to Salisbury from Waterloo,
and buses from Victoria. Hire a car
from Salisbury. (avis.co.uk)

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

TRAVEL

The Royal Crescent, Bath

Pool with a view: Bath’s Therma Spa
an early Neolithic monument complex. A recent study
by archaeologists from the universities of Birmingham
and Vienna suggests that a series of pits, in line with
the rising and setting sun, point to the
significance of the area as a place of
HEALING WATERS
BATH
sun worship for prehistoric people.
Historical appetite sated, book a
WHEN TO GO: Any time.
session at the rooftop Thermae Bath
ACCOMMODATION:
A GRAVEYARD
Spa. The latest incarnation of Britain’s Hostel dorm rooms are from
Stonehenge acts as giant tombstones
only natural thermal spa opened in
£10. The Queensberry Hotel
to the dead, possibly a ruling dynasty,
2006, but floating in the steamy
(thequeensberry.co.uk) has
argues Mike Parker Pearson from
hot spring-fed pool overlooking the
doubles from £125.
Sheffield University. He came to this
city, it’s easy to imagine those who
SEE: visitbath.co.uk
conclusion after conducting tests on
came before.
human remains taken from the site
STONEHENGE
in the 1950s. Archeologists Geoff
WHEN NIGHT FALLS
WHEN TO GO: Any time but
Wainwright and Timothy Darvill
Bath is a student city and therefore,
wrap up in winter.
disagree. They say it was a place
as well as several theatres and a good
ACCOMMODATION: here
where the sick sought cures from
selection of restaurants, it’s chocka
are plenty of reasonably priced
the stones, believed to have healing
with pubs and bars. For live music,
B&Bs in nearby Salisbury.
powers. This, they argue, is why
hit The Porter (theporter.co.uk) or
SEE: english-heritage.org.uk
nearby graves are filled with bodies
Komedia, which also puts on club
of the sick and deformed. Another theory suggests
nights (komedia.co.uk/bath).
Stonehenge was built as a temple to the sun and the
changing seasons, with its stones aligned to mark
STONEHENGE
midsummer and midwinter.
Whether you view Salisbury Plains’ awe-inspiring
SUMMER SOLSTICE
standing stones as a historic monument or as
Every year, modern-day Pagans, hippes and partysomething more spiritual, Stonehenge is one of
lovers gather at the stones to celebrate the longest
Britain’s most interesting sites. Its origins remain
day of the year. This year, it will fall on Thursday,
a mystery, but there are no shortage of theories.
21 June with the sun rising at 5.14am. Head here
to watch this to the sound of bongos – it will be
SUN WORSHIP
a moving experience. ❚
Before Stonehenge was built, the area was the site of
fighting Britons. They kept the original name of
the settlement, but worshipped their own goddess
Minerva here.

TNTMAGAZINE.COM 109

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Great university: but Oxford has much more to offer

Great minds
Many of the world’s most famous achievers have studied in Oxford or
Cambridge – but there’s more to these historic towns than academia
Oxford and Cambridge, homes to England’s oldest,
most prestigious universities, are only few hours’
drive from London. As such, they’re perfect for
a daytrip and both are packed with history, dramatic
architecture and some decent pubs.

cathedral; the dining hall, which featured in the
Harry Potter movies; and an art gallery full of works
by the old masters. You’ll also discover where the
inspiration for Alice In Wonderland came from;
its author Lewis Carroll, wrote the much-loved
children’s book while he was a maths professor here.

OXFORD
It might be famous for its pursuit of academic
excellence but also take a look at Oxford’s
outstanding architecture, world-class museums,
chic bars, trendy restaurants and elegant shops.

UNITED
KINGDOM
Cambridge
Oxford

CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE
Pay a visit to the biggest college at Oxford University,
Christ Church. Feast your eyes on the 12th-century
110 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

LONDON

GETTING THERE
Catch a train to
Cambridge from Liverpool Street
or King’s Cross, which takes 60-90
minutes (from £20). For Oxford,
National Express (nationalexpress.
com) runs a coach from Victoria
station (from £12). The journey is
nearly two hours

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

EXPLORE THE CITY
The best way to get about in Oxford is to take a stroll
through the small city. Begin on Broad Street and
absorb the impressive architecture of the Sheldonian
Theatre, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and
erected in 1664-8; and the Clarendon Building, with
its Greek-like columns and towering roof statues.
From here, head to the Covered Market, where you
can shop or relax with a coffee.
FOODIE FINDS
For a superior curry, try award-winning Aziz in Cowley
Road. Branca in Walton Street is a good Italian bar
and restaurant serving stone-baked pizzas. If you
want to splash out, Le Manoir is a two Michelin-star
restaurant owned by Raymond Blanc in Church Road.
There’s no shortage of boozers in which to sup a
decent pint of ale. A literary pub both CS Lewis and
JRR Tolkien used to frequent, the Eagle & Child in St
Giles is a great place to start. The Turf Tavern has had
a slew of famous visitors in its day including Elizabeth
Taylor, Stephen Hawking, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and
Alicia Silverstone.

Good vibes: Oxford

CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge has much in common with rival Oxford,
most notably a town centre filled with elegant
colleges, busy students and a surfeit of cafés and
bars. However, it is considered the prettier of the
two cities. Historic pubs reverberate with the mix of
intellectual banter and alcohol-fuelled merrymaking
that has become tradition over hundreds of years.
HEADLINE ATTRACTION
Take a punt in Cambridge
The university consists of several colleges, many
housed in beautiful old buildings centred around neat
paddle-boarding (fenpaddle.co.uk). In winter take
lawns known as quads. The most famous is King’s
a brisk walk along the Cam before
College, with its gothic masterpiece
heading back over one of the many
King’s College Chapel. Head there at
pretty bridges.
5.30pm Monday-Saturday (Sunday
WHEN TO GO: Summer’s
times vary) to hear the famous choir
obviously ideal but it’s nice
FOODIE FINDS
belting out some top notes.
to nestle down in an old pub,
You’ll find an array of cuisines on
drinking in front of a roaring
offer. However, if you’re just after
TAKE A PUNT
fire in winter.
a snack, join the queues of students
Head to the banks of the River
CURRENCY: GBP
at bakery Fitzbillies – they’re lining up
Cam, an area known as the Backs.
ACCOMMODATION: Dorm
In summer, you’ll be able to watch
beds from £13.95 at the YHA (yha. for a reason. Cambridge has its fair
share of trendy bars, but it’s the oldthe river teaming with punts – get
org.uk). Doubles from £20.
man pubs that will win you over. Try
involved by hiring a vessel from
SEE: visiteastofengland.com;
the Pickerel Inn or The Eagle, which
Scudamore’s Boatyard (scudamores.
visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com
has graffiti by World War II pilots.
com). Or try a spot of stand-up
TNTMAGAZINE.COM 111

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Dublin: get amongst the energy

The luck of the Irish
Despite its turbulent past, Ireland doesn’t lack charm. Here’s our guide
to enjoying the craic and making the most of this beautiful country
The Emerald Isle boasts a wealth of history – tales
of rebellion and oppression, ancient ruins, mystical
legends, religious wars and a beautiful landscape
– but it’s the spirit of the country what makes it so
loved the world over. The people are super-friendly
and they love to have a good time. Remember those
fun Irish folk you met on your travels? Prepare
yourself for an entire country of them. And the best
thing is: they’ll welcome you with open arms.

famous export, Guinness. Learn how to pull a perfect
pint of the renowned black stuff at the Guinness
Storehouse. It can be thirsty work, so knock back a
couple at the dazzling 360C bar, which offers striking
city views.
Those in the mood for culture and history should
Giant’s Causeway
BELFAST

NORTHERN
IRELAND

Dublin, a cosmopolitan energy
An explosion in multi-culturalism due to Ireland’s
(now finished) economic boom in the Noughties
has resulted in a throng of immigrants and tourists,
creating a cosmopolitan vibe. It’s an extremely social
city and the best place in the world to sup most
112 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Galway

DUBLIN
Kilkenny

Cork

IRELAND

GETTING THERE
Fly London to Dublin with
Ryanair from £16.99; fly London
to Belfast from £20.99 with
Air Lingus

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

visit the free National Museum of Ireland. It charts
the interesting past of this great country. And its
biggest drawcard is a couple of 2000-year-old bog
people, preserved until they were finally found in
2003. Historians believe the bodies were sacrificed to
fertility gods to guarantee a good harvest – let’s hope
it was plentiful. There’s also a chance to view Viking
relics and Egyptian artefacts and peek into Ireland’s
natural history.
For a taste of the country’s gruesome history,
visit the eerie Kilmainham Gaol – the setting for the
ruthless execution of 14 nationalists involved in the
1916 Easter Rising. Socialist leader James Connolly,
who was so badly wounded from fighting that he
only had days to live, was strapped to a chair to
be executed by firing squad. You can see where it
all went down on visits to the prison chapel and
execution yards.
For a more pleasant experience, hit the boutiques
of Grafton Street for an afternoon of shopping. Here
you’ll find fashionable frocks and edgy accessories.
Deck yourself out on a wide variety of retro clothes
and funky jewellery at Cow’s Lane Market, in Temple
Bar. Stay in the area after the sun sets; Temple Bar
is loaded with great after-dark haunts. You’ll find a
genuine Irish experience at boozers such as Hogans in
George Street and Whelans, in Wexford Street, famed
for its live music and late bar. Stop for a cheeky pint
and a nightly dose of live traditional music at Dublin’s
oldest boozer, the Brazen Head, founded in 1198.

It’s not labelled the
Emerald Isles for nothing

in Galway. Students make up a quarter of the city’s
population, so there’s a buzz wherever you go. The
streets of this bohemian city are lively, with street
Energetic Cork serves up edgy art galleries, sizzling
performers and musicians. It’s also one fo the few
clubs and packed boozers. It was voted the 2005
places in Ireland where you’ll hear the Irish language
European Capital of Culture, and the legacy of that
being spoken on the streets.
lives on in new buildings, restaurants, bars and arts
Galway’s packed with energetic pubs and the
centres springing up all over town. A visit wouldn’t be
complete without sampling the local brews – Murphy’s place gets even wilder than usual at the end of July
for the annual race week, one of the highlights of the
and Beamish. A must-see attraction is Cork City Gaol,
summer. If you want a break from the action-packed
which was used from 1823 and 1923, and is a vivid
cobbled streets, walk over salmon-filled River Corrib,
reminder of Ireland’s troubled past. The hellish living
and along the lengthy promenade, which leads to the
conditions are realistically recreated by true-to-life
seaside suburb of Salthil. Here you’ll
models of depressed prisoners and
find Galway Bay, where the region’s
stern guards. Despite this, times were
WHEN TO GO: Anytime, but
famous oysters originate.
so bad during the potato famine
summer will mean there’s more
of 1846-49 that starving people
people out and about.
Kilkenny, good times guaranteed
committed crimes so they could be
CURRENCY: Euro:
sent to jail, where they’d get food and
1GBP=1.16 EUR
Kilkenny is known as the festival
shelter. Also take the time to explore
capital of Ireland, so you’re
ACCOMMODATION:
the city’s majestic opera house.
guaranteed to have a good time
Hostel dorm beds from €12 a
here. There’s a thriving music and arts
night, private rooms from €20.
Galway, bohemia reigns supreme
scene in this town, so a visit during
SEE: discoverireland.com;
the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August is
discovernorthernisland.com
The spirit and youthfulness of the
definitely worthwhile, but book
west coast of Ireland is exemplified
››
Cork, culture with an edge

TNTMAGAZINE.COM 113

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Get a taste of the black stuff

Unwind in Galway
accommodation well in advance. It also hosts the Cat
Laughs Comedy Festival in June and the Celtic Festival
in October. There’s more than 60 bars in the town so
the only problem about a night out will be deciding
where to go. Also check out Kilkenny’s famous castle,
which sits majestically on a sweep in the River Nore.

NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast
Northern Ireland’s capital, once a city under serious
threat of bombs and bloodshed, is now one of the

Magic: Kilkenny
UK’s hottest weekend break destinations. With
an enticing nightlife and edgy charm, many of the
legacies of Belfast’s turbulent history have become
star attractions for tourists who are visiting in
their droves.
Belfast may no longer a troubled hotspot, but its
past won’t be soon forgotten. You can learn all about
The Troubles on a black-taxi tour of West Belfast’s
political murals (below left) painted on the terraced
houses of the Catholic Falls area and Protestant
Shankill district, and the Peace Line that divides them.
You can choose to be guided by either Protestant
or Catholic drivers, depending on which you lean to
religiously or politically.
Belfast Titanic, 100 years of infamy
2012 is the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage
of the RMS Titanic, the infamous ‘unsinkable’ ocean
liner that was built by Belfast’s Harland and Wolff
shipyards. Although the ship sank when it hit an
iceberg, at the time, Belfast had built the world’s most
advanced piece of technology and the city still takes
pride in the piece of engineering genius.
Titanic Belfast, opening in April, will be a ‘mustsee’ visit in any tour of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

114 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

Housed in a purpose-built building beside the historic
site of the ship’s construction, the exhibition covers
nine galleries and tells the story of the Titanic through
a state-of-the-art experience.
Though new developments, such as Belfast Titanic,
might now dominate the Belfast skyline, make time
to visit the lavish 19th-century City Hall, and Belfast
Castle with its stunning gardens. For cutting-edge
art and culture, make sure spend some time on the
generated waterfront.
Party city, and a rise in cafe culture
Belfast’s reputation as a party city has much to do with
the stretch known as the Golden Mile, a kilometre
of pubs and restaurants including lively boozer/ club
Lavery’s and student favourite Eglantine.
If you prefer cosmopolitans to Guinness, head
to trendy bar Irene & Nans. Café culture has really
taken off in Belfast, with plenty of options on Botanic
Avenue for a cup of coffee or a delicious snack.
Chain cafe Clements makes an excellent cappuccino
and for good and affordable local food try Mourne
Seafood Bar in Bank Street or The Barking Dog
bistro in Malone Road.

Hot destination: Belfast
The Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder
The Giant’s Causeway is one of the UK’s greatest
natural wonders. Scientists say that the honeycomblike formation of six-sided basalt columns were
formed by eruptions more than six million years ago.
The Causeway should be included in any visit to
Northern Ireland. Those with a head for heights can
cross the nearby Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. ❚

A must-see: the Giant’s Causeway
TNTMAGAZINE.COM 115

TRAVEL

Rio: biggest festival in the world
116 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

follow us on

@tntmagazine

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

Festival fever
Whether it’s taking part in the world’s biggest tomato fight, drinking beer
with six million people or running alongside bulls, there’s an event for it
In many cases, these now world-renowned festivals
started off as small village traditions. However, the
locals couldn’t keep them secret for long, as the
colourful and sometimes dangerous events caught
the eye of intrepid travellers, who regaled their tales
to other backpackers. People now gather en masse
for these huge celebrations. Here are our 10 faves.

UP HELLY AA, Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland
WHEN January 31
WHAT This is the largest fire festival in Europe. More
than 1000 costumed revellers (known as the Jari
Squad) march holding burning torches to pay homage
to the Shetland’s Viking heritage. The ceremony ends
as the hundreds of flaming torches are thrown into
a long-ship. Then the celebration really kicks off, with
music and entertainment ‘til the early hours. The
following day is a public holiday, to allow for recovery
– so expect a party to remember.

Up Helly Aa: best for fire lovers
GETTING THERE Fly to Shetland from Aberdeen,
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Orkney. There
are also ferries operating.
ACCOMMODATION Dorm beds start from £10,
private rooms from £17. Book accommodation early.
VISA No visas required if you have one for the UK.
SEE uphellyaa.org

RIO CARNIVAL, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
WHEN February 17-21
WHAT While some cities like to boast they host
the world’s best festival, there’s no doubt that Rio’s
Carnival is the biggest, sexiest, most colourful and
most famous. It’s a hedonistic festival, which dates
back to the Ancient Greeks celebrating Dionysus,
the god of wine. And no one does hedonism better
than the Brazilians. For five days Rio is a riot of
festivities, culminating in a parade where dancers
and drummers strut their stuff to see which samba
school will be crowned champion. Don’t miss it.
GETTING THERE Most London airports fly to Rio. ››

Enjoy the buzz in Pamplona
TNTMAGAZINE.COM 117

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

[Caption]
Weird puppets: Las Fallas

ACCOMMODATION Dorm beds start from £12
– however, during carnival time, this obviously rises.
VISA No visas required for stays less than 90 days
for South Africans and New Zealanders. Australians
will need a visa in advance of travel.
SEE rio-carnival.net

Day Of The Dead: Mexico
RUNNING OF THE BULLS, Pamplona, Spain
WHEN July 6-14, with the bull run taking place
at 8am every day. Six bulls are brought back to
be killed by a matador in the arena at 6.30pm.
WHAT This has become a cult event, although the

LAS FALLAS, Valencia, Spain
WHEN March 17-20
WHAT A spectacular celebration of fire and
pyrotechnics to mark the arrival of spring. Giant
puppets (fallas), some lifelike, some grotesque,
are built and displayed in every neighbourhood in
Valencia. The papier-mache puppets are first placed
around the city and then, on the final night, burned
in a pagan-feeling ceremony accompanied by
fireworks. Nights are debauched as the city heats up
and three million flame-loving revellers take to the
streets. During the day, parades, live music, paella
contests and beauty pageants keep the party alive.
GETTING THERE Most budget airlines fly to
Valencia. You can also get there by rail and coach
from Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish cities.
HOW MUCH Four-day tours start from about £160.
ACCOMMODATION Dorm beds start from £10,
private rooms from £17. Book accommodation early.
VISAS New Zealanders and Australians don’t need
visas. South Africans need a Schengen visa.
SEE turisvalencia.es
118 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Make sure you wear good trainers

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

younger generations are increasingly boycotting it
on ethical grounds. Its excitement can’t be denied
and if you go, you should take part. However, if you
chicken out, there are plenty of great (safe) vantage
points. Lots of drinking is involved; expect to stay
up all night and get slaughtered. In solidarity with
the bulls.
GETTING THERE Fly to Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao
or Biarritz and then catch a train or bus to
Pamplona. Or fly direct to Pamplona from Madrid or
Barcelona.
HOW MUCH Tours start at £200. Book in advance.
ACCOMMODATION Rooms in Pamplona get
booked early, but there are campsites outside town.
You can also base yourself in Bilbao, San Sebastián
or Zarautz.
VISAS Aussies and Kiwis don’t need a visa. Saffas
need a Schengen visa.
SEE sanfermin.com

Tomato soup: La Tomatina
LA TOMATINA, Buñol, Spain
WHEN Last Wednesday in August
WHAT Always dreamed of throwing more than your
weight in tomatoes while stumbling around in a
gloopy soup, covered from head to toe in squelchy
liquid? Then this is for you. The streets of this usually

sleepy town turn to puree as 50,000 people do
battle with lorry-loads of ripe tomatoes in an orgy
of silliness. Expect to be hosed down afterwards
and don’t wear anything you love. Girls should don
sports bras to avoid the inevitable.
GETTING THERE The closest airport is Valencia.
Many people also choose to base themselves in
Valencia as accommodation in Buñol is limited.
HOW MUCH Three-day organised tours from £189.
ACCOMMODATION In Valencia, dorm beds start
from £13, and private rooms from £17. Book early to
avoid disappointment.
VISAS Australians and New Zealanders do not need
a visa, but South Africans will need a Schengen visa.
SEE turisvalencia.es

DAY OF THE DEAD, Oaxaca, Mexico
WHEN November 1-2
WHAT It’s name probably gives it away, but this is
a celebration of friends and relatives who have
died. It’s been running for thousands of years,
before it evolved into the colourful celebration it
is today. With its costumes, scary facepaint, candy
skulls as well as papier-mache skeletons, this is death
at its most fun. Mexico’s exuberant event involves
parades, rituals to welcome back deceased relatives,
and a mariachi-accompanied visit to the cemetery,
via the funfair. It’s how they would like to be
remembered. Honest.
››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM 119

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Clockwise: Oktoberfest
in Munich; Burning Man;
Hogmanay in Scotland

GETTING THERE Fly to Las Vegas or San Francisco,
then rent a car or camper van and drive.
HOW MUCH Mexico tours start around £595.
ACCOMMODATION Dorms can cost as little as £3
per night in Oaxaca, and £4 for a basic hotel room.
VISAS A tourist card is issued on arrival. Kiwis get
180 days and Aussies and South Africans up to 90.
SEE visitmexico.com

BURNING MAN, Black Rock Desert, Nevada, US
WHEN Aug 27-Sept 3
WHAT Tens of thousands of people gather in the
scorching Nevada desert for this event to celebrate
art, community and self-expression. It’s a parallel
universe of surreal works – many of which you
can ride/ sail across the pristine sands – fabulous
costumes, nakedness and themed camps. On the
final night, a giant “man” is set alight. Everything
from the event is then packed away, leaving no trace
of its existence.
GETTING THERE Fly to Las Vegas or San Francisco,
then rent a car or camper van and drive.
››
HOW MUCH Tickets are upwards of £155.
120 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

ACCOMMODATION You’ll be camping in the
desert, but book a hotel to retreat to after the
festival. Trust us, you’ll need it!
VISAS Aussies and Kiwis don’t need a visa for stays
of less than 90 days. South Africans require a visa.
SEE burningman.com

ANZAC DAY
ANZAC COVE ON TURKEY’S GALLIPOLI PENINSULA

OKTOBERFEST, Munich, Germany
WHEN Late September to early October
WHAT More then six million boozers hit Munich
to consume unimaginable litres of the stuff at
Germany’s most famous festival. Ever-popular buxom
Bavarian wenches will keep your steins replenished.
As a bonus, according to TNT insiders, the beer’s so
pure you never get a hangover! There are currently
14 large beer tents and 20 smaller ones. Make sure
you plan carefully – you’ll be too smashed to wander
around to all of them.
GETTING THERE Budget airlines fly direct to
Munich. Otherwise, book a package tour from the
UK, which is usually by coach. You can also catch
a train from other German cities.
HOW MUCH Tour packages start from £120.
ACCOMMODATION Dorm beds in hostels start at
£22. Hotel rooms are from £52 for a double. Hotels
and hostels book out in a flash for Oktoberfest
– some up to a year in advance.
VISAS Aussies and Kiwis don’t need a visa. South
Africans need a Schengen visa.
SEE oktoberfest.de

HOGMANAY, Edinburgh, Scotland
WHEN New Year’s Eve
WHAT Why spend just one evening celebrating the
birth of a new year, when you can spend three? This
is one of the most iconic NYE celebrations in the
world – renowned for its non-stop knees-up. This
year, dance the nights away to a mix of Primal
Scream, Mark Ronson and Friendly Fires, as well as
the Bombay Bicycle Club and The Vaccines. More than
250,000 people head to the city centre, with loads of
entertainment on offer. Events begin with a flaming
torch parade and fireworks mark the New Year.
GETTING THERE You can fly from London on
jump on a train or coach – but book in advance.
HOW MUCH Three-day tours start from £199.
ACCOMMODATION Dorm beds from £9 and
private rooms from £18.
VISA No visas required if you have one for the UK.
SEE edinburghshogmanay.org ❚

WHEN April 25
WHAT Head to Gallipoli this Anzac day to pay
your personal tribute to the troops from
Australia and New Zealand who fought so bravely
in World War I.
More than 10,000 people make the pilgrimage
every year. Explore the war memorials and
trenches during an emotionally charged day
which begins with a dawn service. It’s also a
perfect chance to explore Turkey.
GETTING THERE Fly into Istanbul. Gallipoli
is 350km from there. To access the peninsula for
Anzac Day you have to join an official tour.
HOW MUCH Tour packages start from £120.
ACCOMMODATION Sleeping outside is the only
option at Anzac Cove. In Istanbul, dorms start at
20-40 lira (£7-£14). A basic hotel room is 60-80
lira (£20-£27).
VISAS Australians must buy a tourist visa upon
entering Turkey (roughly £10). New Zealanders
don’t need a visa if their stay is three months or
less.
ACCOMMODATION Sleeping outside is the only
option at Anzac Cove. In Istanbul, dorms start at
20 lira (£7). A basic hotel room is 60 lira (£21).
SEE anzacsite.gov.au

TNTMAGAZINE.COM 123

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Must see: the Sphinx and Pyramids in Egypt

Best in the world
The UK is close to some of the most amazing countries in the world. Here’s
a checklist of the ones you need to see while here, or on your way home
If you’re based in the UK for at least the next two
years, make the most of it. One of the attractions of the
country is the fact there are tonnes of destinations just
a short flight away. Here’s our guide to the must-visit
destinations – with a few essential long-haul hotspots
thrown in for good measure.

EGYPT
WHY Witness the birth of a new democratic country.
2011 saw the Egyptian revolution and president Hosni
Mubarak resigning, ending his 30-year reign. Although
there was still unrest at the end of last year, the UK’s
Foreign & Commonwealth Office had placed no
restrictions on travel – but check at the time of your trip.
124 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

HIGHLIGHTS Don’t let last year’s Arab Spring put
you off – Egypt is a stunning destination that deserves
to be seen. The capital, Cairo, is located on the Nile
river. It’s hectic and busy, yet beautiful. Visit the
Egyptian Museum which is filled with more than
120,000 intriguing ancient artifacts, including King
Tut’s Golden Mask. Luxor, gateway to the Valley of the
Kings, is a mass of bustling metropolitan madness. Visit
the touristy dive spot of Sharm el-Sheikh; or spend days
lazing by the Red Sea in laid-back Dahab.
GIZA Nothing can prepare you for the exhilaration of
standing beneath The Pyramids and the Sphinx. They
are among the greatest archaeological sites you will
ever encounter.

like us on

TRAVEL

facebook/tntmagazine

Go diving in the Red Sea

Cape Town’s Table Mountain
THE NILE The ultimate in lazy travel; spend a day
floating along the longest river in the world on a
traditional felucca. You’ll soon forget any problems.
MT SINAI It will take you about three hours to reach
the 2285m peak where it’s believed God himself spoke
to Moses and passed down the Ten Commandments.
THE RED SEA A waterbaby’s haven, the turquoise
waters off the eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula
make for some of the best diving on the planet.
Plunge into a world of colourful reefs and rich
marine life and explore caves and wrecks, both long
forgotten and rediscovered.

Stunning: Vic Falls
HOW MUCH A tour will set you back about £150
excluding flights. It can be advisable to book a tour
guide so you can take advantage of the safety and
knowledge that provides. Food and drink prices are
fairly cheap: you can feed yourself for about £5 a day.
VISA Aussies and Kiwis can buy a visa upon arrival
(about £10), but it’s less hassle to get one before you go.
South Africans need to apply for a visa in advance.

AFRICA

THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS Witness the final
resting place of more than 60 of Egypt’s most highly
regarded ancient leaders, including Tutankhamen
and Queen Hatshepsut.

WHY It can be an adventurer’s playground; a
beachgoer’s paradise; an explorer’s unchartered
territory. There are deserts, rainforests, savannah,
mountains, lowlands, stunning beaches and tropical
islands – not to mention some of the most amazing
animals you’ll ever come close to. Go on safari at
a national park to witness the Big Five (lion, leopard,
elephant, buffalo and rhino).

WHEN TO GO Peak season is November until May.
At other times, it’s cheaper, but also much hotter.
GETTING THERE Egypt is a five-hour flight from
the UK with flights leaving from all London airports.

[Caption]
Challenge: climb Mt Kilimanjaro
the annual migration in the Serengeti; or trek in
search of mountain gorillas in Uganda.
WHEN TO GO April and June to see the wildlife
migration in Tanzania and Kenya.
GETTING THERE To witness different parts of
Africa, book an overland trip. If you want to go it
alone, start in Tanzania by flying into Dar es Salaam
in Tanzania and making your way to Arusha, where
you’ll find loads of safari operators.
HOW MUCH Tours start at about £250
excluding flights.
VISAS Australians, New Zealanders and South
Africans need a visa for Tanzania. All foreigners
travelling to the country also need to show proof
of a yellow fever inoculation.

SKIING/ SNOWBOARDING

(bulgariaski.com) has pistes of varying length and
difficulty. You can even try your hand at cross-country
skiing on a track set 2km away from the resort. Borovets
also boasts a thriving clubbing scene. Ski passes start at
£84 for three days.
BEST FOR ... BUDGET INDERMEDIATE Bansko
(bulgariaski.com) benefits from a long season (roughly
December to May) and plenty of good powder.
Together with 64km of pistes to explore, this cute
medieval town has many cultural monuments and
historic sites, while slightly further afield is the Pirin
National Park – a Unesco World Heritage site home
to epic limestone mountainscapes, glacial lakes,
waterfalls and caves. There’s also a wealth of cheap
accommodation options at Bansko and a decent
clubbing scene. Set aside £125 for a six-day ski pass.
WHEN TO GO Most European seasons start in

WHY Why not! It’s heaps of fun, and nothing beats
heading up the mountains, breathing in fresh alpine
air and carving your way back down. And Europe has
something for beginners and pros alike.
WHERE There are slopes in Andorra, Austria, France,
Germany, Italy and Switzerland, as well as in many
places outside the Eurozone. Flights leave regularly
from London. However, look into hopping on to
a train as you won’t get charged for baggage. Bus
journeys can be long, but they’re usually cheap.
BEST FOR ... BUDGET BEGINNERS Eastern Europe
is great for snow bunnies on a budget. Borovets
126 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Make new friends on the slopes

like us on

facebook/tntmagazine

November and run until April, or in some cases, May.
Check the snow forecast for your destination before you
book – and avoid school holidays at all costs.
HOW MUCH For cheaper rates, look outside the
Eurozone. There’s Bansko in Bulgaria, Slovenia’s main
resorts Kranjska Gora and Bovec, the High and Low
Tatras mountains of Slovakia and Romania’s Poiana
Brasov. Don’t expect them to rival the big hitters of
the Alps, but the areas are being invested in all the
time. A list of companies specialising in ski tours, with
varying prices, dates and locations, can be found at
tntmagazine.com/travel.
VISAS Aussies and Kiwis don’t need visas for most
EU countries. South Africans will most likely need a
Schengen visa. Check before you leave.

TRAVEL

Snowboarding: get a slice of the action

TRANS-SIBERIAN
WHY The Trans-Siberian railway has come to mean
much more than the train journey across Russia it
originally described. As well as the route between
Moscow and Vladivostok, it’s now a catch-all for any
train journey in this area – in fact, most travellers
doing the ‘Trans-Sib’ will usually be heading from
Beijing to Mongolia, then through Siberia to Moscow
(or vice versa) – officially, the Trans-Mongolian. This
epic rail journey has also come to symbolise the ultimate
in do-before-you-die travel. It’s an adventure crossing
time zones and cultures, continents and countries.
WHEN TO GO May until September because of the
warm weather, but they’re also the busiest times.
Avoid July and August as it’s too hot. Travel in March
to experience the tail end of a Siberian winter. Avoid
the first snow in October and the spring thaw in April.
GETTING THERE Take an overnight train from St
Petersburg to Moscow, where the journey departs.
HOW MUCH Packages start from about £800.
VISAS All visitors need a visa for Russia and China, and
most nationalities need one for Mongolia too. Leave
at least six weeks to sort your visas out. Ask your tour
company if they can help with visa arrangements.

UNITED STATES
WHY The United States is enormous, so don’t even
think about attempting to cover it in one trip. It’s a
land where everything is on a bigger scale – from the
superior lakes and the grand canyons to the skyscrapers
and heart-attack-inducing breakfasts.
Check out our favourite roadtrips:
EASTERN PROMISE With super-cheap flights from
London to New York City, the Big Apple is the obvious

Trans-Sib: more than just a train ride
place to start an East Coast tour. Explore Central Park,
the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
Complete your East Coast tour in Florida, making stops
in the stylish beach city of Miami, and in Orlando, home
to Walt Disney World Resort and SeaWorld, as well as
gorgeous beaches.
WILD WEST From wild landscapes to hip cities, the
US’s west coast is an adventurer’s dream. Celeb-spot in
star-studded LA, ogle ancient rocks in the Grand Canyon
and soak up desert hues in Death Valley. Finish up in
Las Vegas, a neon wonderland in the sand that is the
ultimate playground for grown-ups.
THE DEEP SOUTH Laid-back New Orleans has a
vibrant French Quarter which comes alive at night with
competing melodies emanating from jazz clubs. If New
Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, then Memphis is the
birthplace of rock ’n’ roll. It’s a 10-hour train ride from
New Orleans but it’s worth it. Expect Elvis mania – and
don’t miss the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum which
covers the development of soul into rock ’n’ roll.
WHEN TO GO Summer – which begins on Memorial
Day (last Mon in May) and ends on Labor Day (first
››
TNTMAGAZINE.COM 127

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Check out the top sights

Hail a yellow cab in NYC
Mon in Sep) – is peak. Autumn (fall) is spectacular, and
Christmas time in New York is a festive overload.
GETTING THERE All major London airports have
flights to the US. Major international airports include
JFK and Newark (New York), LAX (Los Angeles), SFO
(San Francisco) and Hartsfield International (Atlanta).
HOW MUCH Simple four-day tours of the US start
from £189.
VISAS Aussies and Kiwis don’t need visas for stays of
less than 90 days, but must obtain travel authorisation
prior to departing for the US. This may be obtained
online through the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization (ESTA), an internet application. South
Africans will need to make an appointment at their
nearest US embassy or consulate to obtain a visa.

SOUTH AMERICA
WHY If you’re after a no-holds-barred unforgettable
adventure, this is the right place. South America is all
epic landscapes and throbbing party towns, the perfect
destination for intrepid travellers who like to have fun.
HIGHLIGHTS: SALVADOR, BRAZIL Salvador is
the ultimate party city, with its streets throbbing 24-7
128 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Mix with movie stars
to African drum beats, and its central squares full of
displays of capoeira, performed by buff men doing
handstands and flips. The historic centre, Pelourinho,
is abuzz with bars and clubs pumping out samba.
INCA TRAIL, PERU The four-day hike to the dramatic
city of Machu Picchu is a tick-box activity for most
backpackers exploring Peru. Unfortunately, it can be
hard to get on the Inca Trail as the government only
issues 200 permits worldwide a day. Book in advance.
BOLIVIAN SALT FLATS Salar de Uyuni are the
largest salt flats in the world: a 12,000sqkm carpet of
blindingly white salt that stretches as far as the eye can
see. Look out for turquoise lagoons full of flamingos,
active geysers, striking rock formations and steamy hot
springs where you can bathe. Keep your eyes peeled for
llamas with ribbons in their ears, and ostriches.
ANGEL FALLS, VENEZUELA Arrange a tour from
the steaming-hot Venezuelan city of Ciudad Bolivar,
dotted with pretty colonial buildings. Gloriously remote,
Canaima National Park, where the highest waterfall in
the world is situated, is only reachable by small plane
from Ciudad Bolivar across dense jungle.
››

tntMagazine.com 129

TRAVEL

follow us on

@tntmagazine

Adventure: Machu Picchu

Party in Colombia

AMAZON RAINFOREST Tours to the Amazon can
be arranged from Brazil, Peru or Bolivia and all are likely
to include caiman spotting and piranha fishing. You’re
likely to sleep in hammocks and swim in the Amazon
every day during a rainforest adventure.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA Tango displays can
be seen all over the city, particularly in the clubs of hip
artists’ district San Telmo. Once you’ve watched the
experts at it, take a lesson in one of the city’s many
schools to try out your moves in the clubs.
DEATH ROAD, BOLIVIA A bike ride along Bolivia’s
infamous Death Road is a rite of passage for any
traveller worth their mettle. Outside Bolivia’s capital
La Paz, the bumpy and narrow track is on a very steep
incline and has earned its dangerous reputation thanks
to suffering the most casualties every year compared to
any other road. Ride with caution.
WHEN TO GO Climate conditions differ from country
to country. Best check tntmagazine.com/travel for more
details. Avoid the rainy season if possible.
GETTING THERE Only go it alone if you’re a
seasoned traveller with a good command of Spanish.
Otherwise there are a variety of tour groups.
HOW MUCH Tours start from about £345. The earlier
you book your flights, the cheaper they will be.
VISAS Some countries require a visa, others just a
passport and return ticket. Check with each country.
130 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Go trekking in Peru

CANADA
WHY As you would expect from the second largest
country in the world, Canada has something to offer
every type of traveller. If you’re a city-lover, check out
the bright lights of Toronto, French-speaking Montréal
and eclectic Vancouver. Or you can get closer to nature
in the Rocky Mountains, then explore the country’s
pristine wilderness or ride the rodeo.
WHEN TO GO Any time of year is good. To enjoy the
outdoors, visit in summer. In most areas, March to May
and September to October bring fewer tourists and
often surprisingly pleasant weather. And autumn finds
forests cloaked in a spectacular mantle of colour.
GETTING THERE Air Canada is the best bet
for travelling to Canada from London. Which hub
you choose will depend on your final destination
– Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton are the gateways
to the Rockies, while the cities of the eastern provinces
have their own airports.
HOW MUCH Tours of Canada start at about £900.
VISAS No visas required for stays up to 180 days for
Kiwis and Aussies. South Africans need a visa. ❚

www.1stcontact.com/tntguide

All your essential contacts for living
and working in the UK
With offices in the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa, we are here
to help you...